MPs Theo Heyliger and Tamara Leonard. (File photo)
PHILIPSBURG–The destruction of a people’s sense of self and the stagnation of a country come from the systematic targeting of its leaders by force within and outside of the community, says Member of Parliament Tamara Leonard. Systematic targeting in St. Maarten has been building up over the years, with the latest being the court’s decision to grant the request of the Prosecutor’s Office to investigate MP Theo Heyliger, Leonard told The Daily Herald on Wednesday.
“I cannot pass judgment on who has done right or wrong, but I can safely say that too often people, in the limelight or not, are tarred as guilty until proven innocent,” said Leonard, a member of Heyliger’s United Democrats political party.
“Heyliger is and has been the country’s highest vote-getter for many years. He has had the confidence and the support of the people of St. Maarten, including myself. He has proven again and again, a reason why he had continuous support, that he is beyond capacity of leading this country and keeping it on the cusp of innovation and development,” said Leonard.
In spite of Heyliger’s proven track record, he has been thwarted since 2011 from taking up an executive role as a minister, a post in which he can have daily input in much-needed programmes, projects and innovations, she added.
“How can we not see the targeting of Heyliger and others like him over the years as systematic? I urge the Prosecutor’s Office to not approach this case from a predetermined position, rather as a process to get to the truth from the haystack of rumours, misinformation and plain untruths. I support our justice system and put confidence that those working in it pursue truth and not bias,” said Leonard.
“MP Heyliger, or ‘Captain’ as I often call him, has my support and prayers in this trying time. I hope justice will take her course and this cloud over him is cleared once and for all soon and that the destruction his grandfather the late Dr. Claude Wathey, who was also an innovator, does not transfer unduly to him,” said Leonard.
As with several others in Parliament and in the Council of Ministers, Leonard said, “I am in my current roles thanks in part to the work, efforts and, of course, the confidence and votes the people of this country put in Heyliger. Any attack on him from any direction is an attack on us and on the people of this country.”
The executive branch of government should not be deterred in any way from carrying out their duties they took an oath to undertake, said Leonard.
“Moreover, I caution all appointed members of government to remember we are a team and must work for the benefit of this country and not be affected by outside forces. Ministers must be cognizant of the role MP Heyliger played in their appointment and not become entities unto themselves,” Leonard said.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/79844-leonard-destruction-of-a-people-comes-from-targeting-its-leaders
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