PNP vows to continue registering displeasure with Chung as FID head

 

People's National Party (PNP) President Mark Golding says the party will continue to register its displeasure with the appointment of Dennis Chung to lead the Financial Investigations Division (FID).

 

But he did not say what form this would take. 

 

Last week, the PNP gave the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) a three-day ultimatum to have the appointment rescinded, indicating that it was contemplating legal action. The opposition also led a protest on Monday. 

 

Speaking at a PNP town hall in St. James on Wednesday night, Mr. Golding was critical of those in the private sector who have not joined in questioning Mr. Chung's appointment.

 

"Various non-government and non-political organisations have come forward and said this is untenable, this doesn't look right; it should not stand. And I'm very disappointed that there are some leaders in the private sector who seem to think there's nothing wrong with what has taken place. I suggest that they reconsider the matter and look at the facts because it is absolutely clear and blatant that this appointment is totally inappropriate, untenable and should not stand," insisted the PNP president. 

 

He said the party will maintain a resolute position against the appointment. 

 

"We had a very successful, peaceful demonstration on Monday morning at National Heroes Circle to register publicly our absolute disgust with what is happening and we will continue the struggle in that regard."

 

The PNP has argued that Mr. Chung lacks pertinent qualifications and has compromised himself with his public comments defending Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness in relation to his financial affairs, which have been referred to the FID for further investigation. 

 

In the meantime, Mr. Golding said, with questions about his financial affairs hanging over his head, Prime Minister and JLP leader Dr. Holness should not be putting himself up for re-election as member of Parliament for West Central St. Andrew. 

 

Mr. Golding said the people must be able to have confidence in their elected leaders.

 

"And when the head of the stream is not somebody who is, you can say, is in that position, then everything else that flows below will be similarly under a cloud and contaminated. And this is why we have said, as far as we're concern, the Prime Minister should really not be putting himself forward to run in the next general election to continue as Prime Minister. The objective facts really ought to disqualify him from doing so. And the fact of the matter is, you know, his party should have reflected on that matter and taken certain decisions. But they are obviously determined to tough it out and see what happens," he reasoned.