Revoke Dennis Chung’s FID appointment

THE EDITOR, Madam:

The Gleaner’s news report “Law enforcement experience cut from requirements during search for new FID head” raised some important governmental concerns of which all citizens of this country should be extremely concerned about.

I fully concur with the Opposition Spokesman on National Security, Peter Bunting, that the only logical reason to remove the single minimum technical requirement would be to tailor the ad to accommodate a specific candidate, in this case, newly appointed FID Technical Director Dennis Chung.

Mr Chung is in public disagreement with the Integrity Commission’s non-certification of Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ three years of annual statutory declarations which has been referred to the Financial Investigations Division for further investigations. Based on public comments which were enunciated last year by Chung relating to two investigations being undertaken by the FID – which falls under the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service and is tasked with combating financial crimes and the recovery of assets derived from criminal conduct – make him unsuitable to be appointed as the head of the entity. Jamaica Accountability Meter Portal and National Integrity Action have articulated that based on Chung’s previous comments he should not have been appointed Chief Technical Director of the FID and that his appointment should be rescinded forthwith. There is clearly a conflict of interest and PM Holness should immediately withdraw the appointment of Chung.

Mr Chung, within his constitutional right, was in disagreement with the IC not certifying PM Holness’ annual statutory declarations for a few years.

Further, all the previous chief technical directors of the FID – such as Mike Surridge; Calvin Small; Justin Felice; Robin Sykes; Selvin Haye – have had some experience in law enforcement and investigative skills.

The People’s National Party is absolutely correct, Dennis Chung’s FID appointment must be immediately revoked and a new person who is suitable and qualified be appointed instead.

ROBERT DALLEY

robertdalley100@zohomail.

com