PNP blasts Vaz for revealing private information on Golding

 

The People's National Party (PNP) has blasted Transport Minister Darly Vaz over his release of private information on Opposition Leader Mark Golding during a radio interview on Radio Jamaica's Beyond the Headlines, on Monday evening.

 

There has been growing debate over Mr. Golding's status as a Jamaican as well as British citizen, with Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Monday arguing that, if Mr. Golding is to serve as the country's highest leader or even the Opposition Leader, he must pledge sole loyalty to Jamaica.

 

Addressing the issue on Monday afternoon, Mr. Vaz disclosed private information on Mr. Golding's interaction with the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) while speaking on the dual citizenship impasse.

 

In a statement Tuesday, Shadow Minister for Information Nekeisha Burchell described the releasing of Mr. Golding's private dealings with PICA as a significant breach of privacy which should be investigated.

 

She warned that the practice of politicians disclosing private information on their opponent as part of political gamesmanship, is of grave concern to the public.

 

"I'm calling on Dr. the Honourable Dana Morris Dixon, who has the responsibility for information and digital transformation, to address this serious breach promptly. This incident severely undermines the confidence of average Jamaican and raises significant concerns about the privacy and security of the data held by government agencies, particularly in light of the recently enacted Data Protection Act and the impending rollout of the National Identification System, NIDS," she urged. 

 

Ms. Burchell warned that the NIDS programme could be severely impacted by Mr. Vaz' action. She said many Jamaicans could now shy away from participating in the programme.

 

"When you think that your personal health information, your education information, your information as it relates to national security and any infractions you may have with the state, your tax information could very well be accessed by a minister or a minister's agent and be used against you in your private or your professional life, that is not a confident position for any Jamaican and we need to hear from the minister promptly, what response they will outline for the actions that her ministry will take to rectify this egregious privacy breach," said the opposition spokesperson for information.