PHILIPSBURG:--- The Department of Sports within the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (MECYS) is pleased to announce the successful execution of the King’s Games (Koningsspelen) 2026, held on Friday, April 17, 2026. Approximately 3,500 students from 19 elementary schools participated in the island-wide celebration honoring His Royal Highness King Willem Alexander of the Netherlands.
This year’s theme, “Everyone Fun” (Iedereen Plezier), was clearly reflected in the enthusiastic participation of students and the engaging activities organized throughout the day, promoting inclusivity, enjoyment, and healthy habits through physical activity.
Minister of Sports Melissa Gumbs praised the successful execution of the event, stating, “The success of the King’s Games 2026 is a testament to what we can achieve when we place our children at the center of community, health, and education. Seeing approximately 3,500 students come together under the theme ‘Everyone Fun’ truly reflects our commitment to inclusivity, physical activity, and positive development. Events like these not only encourage healthy lifestyles but also strengthen unity across our schools and the wider community. We are proud to continue this meaningful tradition and look forward to building on this momentum in 2027.”
MECYS extends sincere thanks to all participating schools, school managers, teachers, Physical Education instructors, and students for their dedication and active involvement; your energy, teamwork and positive spirit brought the theme to life and made the day a memorable experience. Appreciation is also extended to Cake House Bakery for the provision and coordination of the healthy breakfast packages, and to the Department of Communication for their support in covering and highlighting the day’s activities.
Building on the success of this year’s event, MECYS looks forward to continuing the King’s Games tradition in 2027. We look forward to reaffirming the importance of fostering environments where children can develop healthy habits through enjoyment, inclusion and active participation and to further strengthen partnerships within the Kingdom.

PHILIPSBURG:---  NOW, Member of Parliament (MP) and Vice Chair of the Justice Committee in Parliament, Lyndon Lewis has recently sent a letter, which contains 50 questions via the Chair of Parliament to the Minister of Justice, Nathalie Tackling, expressing serious concerns regarding the recent appointment of Chief of Police, Mr. Carl John, next to his regular task as Chief of Police to serve also as Acting Secretary General within the Ministry of Justice, as well as several unresolved matters that continue to negatively impact justice workers.
MP Lewis stated that the appointment as Acting Secretary General of Justice raises serious integrity concerns relating to good governance, efficiency, transparency, accountability, and the proper separation of responsibilities within the justice chain. The Chief of Police already carries the responsibility of leading one of the country’s largest and most critical departments. Appointing the same individual to simultaneously serve as Acting Secretary General within the Ministry of Justice should be deemed a major conflict of interest, particularly where decisions may involve personnel matters, departmental oversight, objectivity, and operational policies.
“As Vice Chair of the Justice Committee, I have been approached by numerous justice workers who feel personally targeted, unfairly treated, and victimized by decisions allegedly being made by the Chief of Police. To now have him appointed as Acting Secretary General, they see no objectivity and fairness and hope moving forward in their career under the umbrella of Justice,” MP Lewis stated.
MP Lewis posed the following questions to the Minister of Justice, Nathalie Tackling:
1. What was the rationale behind appointing the Chief of Police, Mr. Carl M. John, as acting Secretary General of Justice (SG)?
2. What legal authority or statutory basis was relied upon to make this appointment?
3. Were other qualified candidates considered for the position, and what selection process was followed?
4. What led the Minister of Justice to choose the chief of police, Mr. Carl John, as acting SG, while the staff continues to leave the Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM)?
5. Minister, please provide an inventory of all vehicles under KPSM with purchase date, being in use and not in use, the condition thereof, and maintenance schedule, respectively, vehicles used by Management, patrol units, detectives, intelligence, arrest team, observation team, and administration department.
6. How does the Ministry intend to address concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest, particularly in matters involving personnel and organizational decisions of KPSM?
7. What complaints are you aware of by justice personnel alleging unfair treatment or victimization under decisions made by the Chief of Police?
8. How are we to safeguard the interests of the justice personnel while having the same person serving as acting SG?
9. When the Chief of Police is serving as acting SG, who runs KPSM? Who is the acting Chief of Police?
10. I understood that the SG, Ms. Florence Marlin, is no longer on sick leave and that the Chief of Police is still functioning in her capacity. How is this possible?
11. The Ministry of Justice consists of a Staf Bureau that reports directly to the SG. How many qualified persons are there within the Staf Bureau that could have taken up the role as acting SG?
12. It is public knowledge that the chief of police has sought other opportunities locally and abroad. How does his current position as acting SG affect the other departments within the Ministry of Justice, such as Immigration, Customs, and House of Detention?
13. Minister, I see that the chief of police signs with the abbreviation MBA behind his name. What is the definition of that abbreviation mentioned behind Mr. Carl John’s name in his writings?
14. I would like the Minister of Justice to provide a breakdown of all work-related trips that the Chief of Police has taken over the past three years, reasons thereof, and the associated costs.
15. What complaint mechanisms are currently in place to protect officers and other justice workers from retaliation when reporting misconduct or unfair treatment by the chief of police or the members of the management team of KPSM?
16. I am requesting that the Minister of Justice commit to an independent review of this appointment (Chief of Police as Acting SG) in the interest of transparency and public confidence.
17. What is the security screening procedure for justice workers within the Ministry of Justice?
18. What is the role of the Chief of Police, Mr. Carl John, in relation to the security screenings for the personnel of KPSM conducted by the National Security Service of Sint Maarten?
19. What is the mandate given to the Chief of Police, Mr. Carl John, in relation to the security screenings of KPSM personnel conducted by the National Security Service of Sint Maarten?
20. Based on the function book of KPSM. What is the overall employment capacity of KPSM?
21. How many police officers have left or resigned from KPSM since the police chief’s appointment in 2015?
22. The Minister of Justice mentioned on many occasions that she is a lawyer; as a lawyer, the Minister of Justice ought to know that an irrevocable court decision should be executed. What is the number of irrevocable court decisions that are awaiting execution?
23. What is the reason for noncompliance with the highest decisions (Judges' decisions) in this country?
24. It is understood or alleged that the Minister compensated the acting Head of the National Detective (LR), Ms. Lucy Gachette, after she lost her case against the former Minister of Justice in 2024, in a civil court. What led to this illegal reimbursement of their legal fees?
25. How can other justice workers request compensation or reimbursement after they lose their court cases against the Minister of Justice in the future?
26. What is the update on the justice policy relating to sexual harassment in the workplace?
27. Please provide an update on the cases related to sexual harassment within KPSM.
28. It is understood that one detective resigned and another was put on inactive leave with two days' notice. Both of whom filed or made it known of the sexual harassment and sexual assault they have endured in the workplace. What can the Minister elaborate on these respective matters?
29. What is the outcome of the meeting held between the Minister and several victims in relation to sexual harassment within KPSM?
30. What is the update on Phase #1 batches for all active justice workers, respectively, Police, Customs, Coast Guard, Court of Guardianship, Immigration, The Prison and House of Detention, Financial Intelligence Unit, and the National Detectives?
31. What is the update on Phase #2 for the issuance of the batches, including the anticipated timeline for completion and distribution?
32. What were the delays in implementing Phase #2?
33. What were the reasons for those delays?
34. What is the update on the issuance of the National decrees for justice pensioners?
Minister, there are crucial managerial positions that require stability, and these positions are currently filled by individuals in an acting capacity.
35. Why hasn’t an official department head of the National Detectives been appointed as yet?
36. Why hasn’t an official department head of the Prison and House of Detention been appointed yet?
37. Why hasn't an official department head of the Immigration Department been appointed yet?
38. Why hasn’t an official department section head of the Immigration Admittance Department been appointed yet?
39. Why isn’t an official department section head of Division Head Basic Police Care appointed as yet?
40. Who evaluates the performance of these department heads under the Justice Ministry?
Minister, there has been a management team in place at the Customs Department for nearly two (2) years now.
41. When will section heads of Customs receive their acting allowance or be officially placed?
42. What is the latest update on the shipment containing the Customs Officers' uniform?
Minister, the NAGICO Insurance coverage for justice workers is of crucial importance.
43. Please give a detailed update on the validity of this insurance coverage for the justice workers.
44. When will the justice workers be reimbursed for the funds paid to this NAGICO insurance policy, which had already lapsed?
45. What discussions are being held with NAGICO Insurance to reinstate this insurance policy for all frontline justice workers?
46. How many investigations are currently being carried out from reports by the Financial Intelligence Unit?
47. I am aware that complaints are being made against the acting section head of the Admittance Department within the Immigration Department. What is the outcome of those complaints?
48. What is the procedure for handling these reports/complaints?
49. Who investigates complaints or internal affairs within the Immigration Department?
50. It is understood that the prison guards from Suriname are receiving a higher salary than the local prison guards. From whose budget are these Suriname prison guards receiving their salary?
“The people of Sint Maarten, and particularly the men and women serving within the justice sector, deserve a justice system built on transparency, objectivity, fairness, competent leadership, and most of all institutional integrity. These matters cannot continue to be ignored,” MP Lewis emphasized.
MP Lewis is therefore calling on the Minister of Justice to exercise due diligence, provide clear responses, and ensure that all appointments and decisions within the Ministry are made in the best interest of the country and in accordance with good governance principles.
He further stressed the importance of restoring confidence, safeguarding institutional integrity, and ensuring that justice workers receive the respect and support they deserve.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Motorworld, the Caribbean distributor for GAC, officially marked the grand launch of the full GAC vehicle line-up in Jamaica on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, delivering an immersive test drive experience that highlighted the brand’s accelerating growth and strong early reception in the local market.
Held at the National Indoor Sports Center, the large-scale event welcomed a wide cross-section of over 800 guests and stakeholders and represented a defining milestone for GAC’s expansion in the region. While a smaller media launch was conducted in late November 2025 at Fidelity Motors in Kingston, that event was intentionally limited following the passage of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica. This April event, therefore, represented the brand’s full-scale debut to the Jamaican public, with six models on display: the GS3 Emzoom, Emkoo, GS8, Empow, AION V, and the highly anticipated debut of the all-new S7.
Speaking on the significance of the occasion, Motorworld Chairman Tariq Amjad underscored the company’s long-term vision for the brand in the Caribbean. “This launch represents more than just the introduction of a new vehicle line-up. It reflects Motorworld’s commitment to bringing world-class automotive innovation to the Caribbean. We’ve always been confident in the strength of the GAC brand and its potential in the Jamaican market. Today’s event is the realization of that vision, and we are proud to officially present GAC to the Jamaican public in a way that truly reflects the brand.”
Jamaica’s introduction of GAC comes at a time when the brand is experiencing exceptional global momentum. In March 2026, GAC recorded sales of 42,165 units worldwide, representing an 86% year-on-year increase. This growth is further supported by strong industry recognition, including top rankings in residual value among Chinese automotive brands.
Motorworld emphasized that these global achievements translate directly into value for Caribbean customers, particularly in areas such as durability, resale value, and long-term ownership confidence. Backed by partnerships with leading international suppliers and rigorous testing standards exceeding four million kilometres, GAC vehicles are engineered to meet the demands of modern drivers. The manufacturer also has extensive experience producing vehicles for major global brands, including Toyota and Honda in China, further reinforcing its reputation for quality and reliability.
The launch event was organized by the appointed GAC dealer in Jamaica, Fidelity Motors Limited, which is supported by the extensive automotive framework of Goddard Enterprises Limited (GEL) Auto.
General Manager of Fidelity Motors Limited, Deborah Stewart, said the event celebrated a shift in the local automotive landscape. “As we celebrate 25 years, we are seeing a clear shift in what customers value - not just affordability, but technology, design, safety and overall driving experience. GAC delivers on all these fronts,” Stewart said.
She continued, “This launch was about more than showcasing vehicles; it was about demonstrating a new standard in the market. The response since our introduction late last year has been extremely encouraging, and with the introduction of the S7, we are building on that momentum with a line-up that is innovative, accessible and aligned with the needs of today’s Jamaican driver.”

PHILIPSBURG:--- The St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) is proud to announce the Chery Himla as the official vehicle of the 55th anniversary of St. Maarten Carnival. This milestone partnership marks the beginning of a new annual tradition and signals a strengthened collaboration between SCDF and its longstanding corporate partner, Motorworld.
As Carnival celebrates its 55th year, this partnership reflects a shared commitment to innovation, culture, and community engagement.
SCDF President Edwardo Radjouki shares that “the 55th anniversary has put us in a better position to make carnival as bright and as beautiful as possible. Carnival is not only a celebration of our culture, but also an opportunity to build meaningful partnerships that benefit our community. We are thrilled to welcome the Chery Himla as the official vehicle of this landmark edition and to continue working closely with Motorworld in bringing new experiences to Carnival."
The introduction of the Chery Himla to the market through this collaboration adds a new element to the festivities, blending automotive excellence with one of the island’s most vibrant cultural celebrations.
The Chery Himla features a spacious interior, intelligent safety systems, and a powerful yet efficient engine. Its debut during Carnival positions it as a vehicle that embodies both celebration and forward-thinking progress.
Chairman of Motorworld Group, Tariq Amjad, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership:
"We are honored to deepen our relationship with the SCDF through this exciting initiative. The Chery Himla is our newest exciting pickup option at Motorworld, and there is no better stage for its introduction than the 55th anniversary of St. Maarten Carnival. We look forward to making this collaboration an enduring tradition that grows stronger each year."
Visitors will have the opportunity to experience the Chery Himla up close at the official vehicle display located within the Carnival Village throughout the Carnival season, beautifully wrapped to fit the season.