Pond Island:---  Telem has taken note of recent articles published by SMN News on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 and again on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, in which public statements related to our organization were issued by the SMCU union. While the company respects the right of individuals and representative bodies to express their views, management firmly rebuts the interpretation of recent developments as presented in both instances.

Telem is at a critical stage of a carefully structured transformation aimed at restoring financial stability, modernizing operations, and securing its long-term future in an increasingly competitive telecommunications market. Public commentary that mischaracterizes this process creates unnecessary uncertainty amongst employees, customers, and the wider community.

It is important to recall that several years ago, SMCU publicly called for a forensic audit of the company. In response to those concerns, an independent operational audit was conducted by SOAB at the order of the sitting government. That review found no justification for a full forensic investigation. The findings were clear and independent. Despite this, the union's current narrative appears to revisit insinuations that have already been objectively addressed, adding new “rumours”.

Telem challenges SMCU to present concrete, substantiated facts to support its claims rather than rely on vague allegations or rumours. Serious accusations require serious evidence. Management remains fully confident in the governance framework under which the company operates and in the Supervisory Board's oversight.

Two major restructurings undertaken in recent years were fully compliant with the law and executed in agreement with SMCU. The great majority of employees who left the company did so voluntarily and accepted a voluntary leave package that continues to include medical insurance coverage. These were difficult but necessary measures in response to global shifts in the telecommunications industry and intense local competition on both the Dutch and

Frenchsides of the island. These are hardly the actions of a caring and responsible management team.

The challenges of the past three years have required discipline, decisive leadership, and cooperation at every level of the organization. During this process, the Telem team has also invested significant effort in expanding the broadband footprint across the island and implementing several network upgrades that have improved reliability for all our customers.

Those efforts are now beginning to yield results, highlighted by our 2025 Ookla Speed test Award for the fastest internet on the island. Early internal reviews indicate the strongest and most encouraging signs of financial improvement Telem has seen in many years. Halting or de-stabilizing this positive trajectory, especially with a disruptive forensic audit at such a pivotal moment, would itself be irresponsible.

Telem remains open to constructive dialogue. Management invites representatives of the SMCU to meet, review the facts, and engage in a transparent discussion of the company’s progress and future direction.

The company’s focus remains clear: protect jobs where possible, strengthen operations, serve customers reliably, and ensure Telem’s long-term sustainability for St. Maarten.

Editor’s Note:
An operational audit and a forensic audit serve distinct purposes in organizational evaluation and accountability. While an operational audit assesses the efficiency, effectiveness, and economy of business processes to drive performance improvements, a forensic audit is investigative, aimed at uncovering financial irregularities, fraud, or legal violations. The former is preventive and improvement-oriented, is often conducted periodically, and yields recommendations to improve performance.
In contrast, the latter is reactive, triggered by suspicions or allegations, and involves the collection of detailed evidence for potential legal proceedings. Both audits play critical roles in ensuring organizational integrity, with operational audits enhancing internal processes and forensic audits safeguarding against misconduct.
In hindsight, the SMUC made several allegations based on information received from its members. It would be in everyone’s best interest to conduct the forensic audit and to set the records straight. After all, it is the people's patrimony.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Caribbean lifestyle and empowerment platform Kerai Kreative Style, founded by creative leader and brand strategist Kenty Lichtenberg, proudly celebrates its 10-year anniversary this month. What began as a personal style blog has evolved into a movement that empowers women, celebrates Caribbean identity, and fosters confidence, authenticity, and cultural pride across the region and beyond.
Over the past decade, Kerai Kreative Style has become a trusted voice and safe space where women feel seen, represented, and inspired to embrace their individuality. Through storytelling, cultural advocacy, and community engagement, the platform has amplified Caribbean creativity while encouraging women everywhere to walk boldly in their purpose.
To commemorate this milestone, a month-long series of reflective and celebratory experiences was curated to honor the journey, the community, and the women who have been part of its evolution.
The celebration began on February 7th with the online premiere of “10 Years, One Journey — Seen Through Her Eyes,” a reflective look at the platform’s growth and the impact it has created through storytelling and representation.
The first in-person gathering took place on February 14th with Sip & Stretch: A Sunrise Reflection, an intimate and soulful experience held along the Philipsburg Boardwalk. As the sun rose over the Caribbean Sea, women gathered in a sacred space of stillness, gratitude, and connection. More than a wellness moment, it was a heartfelt celebration — by women, for women — created to thank them for walking this journey together over the past decade. Through reflection, breath, and shared presence, attendees honored healing, self-love, and the strength found in community.
On February 16th, supporters from near and far can join a virtual live toast, raising their glasses to celebrate ten years of impact and connection across borders.
The celebration will continue on February 21st with Zumba with Soultry Dance, an energizing community session at the Belair Community Center that will bring movement, joy, and togetherness to the anniversary festivities.
The month will concludes on February 28th with the Mini Styling & Image Coaching Pop-Up at T’s Closet in Philipsburg, offering women an empowering finale focused on confidence, personal branding, and self-presentation.
“Kerai Kreative Style was born from a desire to create space for women to feel confident, valued, and represented,” said founder Kenty Lichtenberg. “This celebration is not just about ten years of work — it is about ten years of shared stories, growth, resilience, and the incredible women who continue to inspire this journey.”
Throughout its evolution, Kerai Kreative Style has championed body positivity, highlighted Caribbean fashion and culture, collaborated with regional and international partners, and created empowering experiences that extend beyond style into confidence building and identity affirmation.
As the platform steps into its next decade, its mission remains rooted in community, cultural pride, and empowering women to embrace their authentic selves.
“This milestone belongs to every woman who has supported, shared, and believed in this vision,” Lichtenberg added. “Together, we continue to celebrate our stories, our strength, and our collective power.”

PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Lyndon Lewis has announced that his faction has formally submitted an official letter dated February 10, 2026, to the Honorable Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (TEATT), Mrs. Grisha Heyliger-Marten, demanding immediate clarity and accountability regarding the Government’s financial handling of the 2025 Soul Beach Music Festival.

Despite the Minister's November 2025 public statements confirming that there are no agreements, discussions, or commitments for Soul Beach in 2026, this does not resolve the serious and unresolved questions surrounding the use of public funds in 2025. The people of Sint Maarten were never told that accountability ends when an event is cancelled. Public funds demand answers—regardless of whether the event returns.

The Soul Beach Music Festival, previously hosted in Aruba, was introduced to Sint Maarten and received an estimated USD 700,000 in government subsidies.
Critically, this event was never included in the approved 2024 or 2025 national budget, nor was it previously contracted or authorized by Parliament. This raises fundamental concerns about how and why such a substantial financial commitment was made without legislative approval.

The law is unambiguous. Under the General Subsidy Ordinance, organizers of incidentally subsidized events are required to submit a full financial and activity report within three months of the event’s conclusion. The Minister is then obligated to review, finalize, and report on the subsidy within a legally prescribed timeframe. As of February 2026, more than nine months after the event, Parliament has still not received the required documentation. This delay is not procedural—it is unlawful.

Parliament has already acted on this matter. A motion was passed demanding an investigation into the financial and administrative handling of the Soul Beach subsidy. To date, the Minister has failed to provide Parliament with the required findings, documentation, or explanations, despite repeated calls for transparency.

Furthermore, as a new event involving significant new spending, Soul Beach required explicit Parliamentary approval via a budget amendment, in accordance with Article 100 of the Constitution of Sint Maarten. The use of unused allocations from a previous budget year does not substitute for Parliamentary authorization. Doing so directly undermines Parliament’s constitutional authority and violates the principles of public financial management.

The N.O.W. faction makes it clear: any agreements signed, commitments made, or funds expended without Parliamentary approval place full responsibility on the Minister involved. The law does not shield ministers who authorize payments without a legal basis. Accountability is personal as well as political.

Through its official correspondence, the N.O.W. faction has demanded clear answers to the following:

• Where are the legally required financial and activity reports for Soul Beach 2025?
• Why has the Ministry failed to finalize and submit its review within the statutory timeframe?
• Why was a new, unbudgeted event funded without Parliamentary approval?
• And most importantly, how will the Minister ensure that unlawfully spent public funds are recovered and returned to the people of Sint Maarten?

MP Lewis stresses that this matter will not be allowed to fade into silence. The N.O.W. faction will continue to pursue every parliamentary and legal avenue necessary to
protect public funds, uphold the constitution, and restore public trust.

“The people of Sint Maarten deserve more than explanations after the fact,” MP Lewis stated.
“They deserve a government that respects the law, respects Parliament, and respects their money.”

PHILIPSBURG:--- Pending the implementation of the ongoing tax reform, taxpayers will now have the opportunity to settle their outstanding income taxes through a payment arrangement with a standard period of 24 months, once the assessment has been determined, instead of the maximum period of 9 months currently being applied. This was announced by the Honorable Minister of Finance, Marinka Gumbs.
The new flexible approach is guided by the theme, “Stabilize, Repair, Reform: A Phased Approach to Tax Reform and System Renewal.” It applies exclusively to individual taxpayers and relates solely to outstanding income tax assessments. It does not apply to businesses, corporate taxpayers, or any other types of taxes, including wage tax, turnover tax, or profit tax. The measure is intended to better reflect the economic realities and payment capacity of individuals and households in Sint Maarten.

According to the Minister, this temporary approach will be in effect until December 31, 2026. Separate and targeted measures to address concerns within the business community are currently being developed and will be made public at a later date.
“I want to emphasize that I fully support strong and joint compliance efforts to ensure that taxes are paid and that the tax system functions effectively,” Minister Marinka Gumbs stated. “However, at the same time, it is clear that existing collection measures need to be modernized to better reflect current economic realities and taxpayers’ ability to pay.”
“These two objectives,” she went on, “go hand in hand: maintaining compliance while ensuring that collection practices are fair, reasonable, and workable in today’s context.”

The Receiver, she stressed, will continue to collect outstanding taxes in accordance with existing laws. The Receiver cannot waive or reduce tax debts but may grant deferrals of payment where appropriate for individual income taxpayers.
“I acknowledge that due to limitations in existing procedures and systems, the Receiver is currently unable to effectuate automatic tax refunds,” the Minister stated. “Furthermore, delays in the annual tax process have resulted in individual taxpayers sometimes receiving multiple years of assessments within a single calendar year, leading to unexpected and cumulative payment obligations that are difficult to meet within a short period.”
The Minister recognized that this situation has contributed to significant financial stress for many households, particularly given the damaging effects of the hurricanes, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ongoing financial burdens families face, including the high cost of living, rising utility costs, and the challenges surrounding GEBE. She noted that these cumulative pressures have affected the payment capacity of many individual taxpayers and must be acknowledged in shaping a fair and realistic collection approach.

“While it is true that it is the responsibility of each citizen to file and pay their taxes in a timely manner, it is also evident that the current collection ordinances are outdated and no longer fully reflect the present fiscal and economic circumstances of Sint Maarten,” she noted.
Under current practice, the Receiver applies a maximum deferral term of nine months without requiring a payment capacity test. Where such a test is required, it is based on a DB 35 form that assesses income, expenditures, and assets. Feedback from individual taxpayers gathered during the Minister’s Finance Friday engagements indicates that the nine-month term is often too short, that the DB 35 process is perceived as administratively burdensome, and that some taxpayers have entered into agreements they knew in advance they could not realistically meet.
This is why the Minister has introduced this temporary approach, effective until December 31, 2026, allowing individual income taxpayers who request a payment arrangement to be granted payment terms of up to 24 months without the requirement to submit a DB 35 payment capacity test. Taxpayers who prefer a shorter payment period may also request this.

In addition, the Minister noted that this temporary adjustment will also allow the hard-working Collection Officers to deploy their limited collection capacity more effectively. By offering realistic payment terms to individual taxpayers willing to comply, the Receiver and collection staff can focus their enforcement efforts on non-compliance and deliberate non-payment. This targeted approach strengthens overall compliance while reducing unnecessary administrative pressure on both taxpayers and tax employees.
While the Tax Administration continues to work toward implementing a new integrated tax IT system and modernizing its processes, the Minister considers it appropriate to temporarily adopt a more realistic, understandable, and humane approach to payment arrangements for individual income taxpayers.
In the interest of transparency and good governance, the Minister also confirmed that the adjusted collection policy will be formally documented and published. Clear publication of the applicable rules and conditions ensures that taxpayers understand their rights and obligations, promotes equal treatment, and strengthens public trust in the administration of the tax system.

“The intention is to reduce hardship, limit the need for coercive measures such as summons, liens, attachments, and auctions, and promote voluntary compliance by taxpayers who are willing to pay but require more reasonable timelines to do so,” Minister Marinka Gumbs concluded.