PHILIPSBURG: --- The growing mental health crisis on Sint Maarten was brought into sharp focus this morning when two mental health patients were involved in a violent altercation on Bush Road. According to police reports, the confrontation escalated quickly, resulting in one patient being stabbed. The Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) confirmed that the injured individual was transported to the St. Maarten Medical Center for treatment, while the other was arrested on the scene.

Authorities have described the incident as yet another example of the urgent need for greater support and intervention in mental health care across the island.

“This situation highlights the critical gaps in our mental health system,” a KPSM spokesperson stated. “We continue to encounter similar cases where individuals with severe mental health issues are left unsupervised or without proper treatment. The police are not equipped to handle these types of cases, yet we are often the first responders.”

The incident underscores long-standing concerns about the state of mental health care in Sint Maarten, particularly the limited resources available to the Mental Health Foundation and the lack of structured government programs to support patients in crisis. Social workers and advocates have repeatedly called for comprehensive mental health policies, including better access to medication, rehabilitation programs, and community-based support systems.

Residents along Bush Road expressed shock but not surprise at the morning’s events, saying that encounters involving mentally ill individuals have become more frequent. “We see them walking around every day,” one shop owner said. “Sometimes they seem fine, but other times you can tell they need help. It’s sad because it feels like no one is taking responsibility.”

The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA) has often been cited as the agency most responsible for addressing these social and health challenges. However, the KPSM believes that much more needs to be done at the government level to prevent such tragedies.

“We need more than just crisis response,” the police statement continued. “The Ministry of VSA must prioritize mental health by providing adequate funding, facilities, and trained professionals to assist those struggling with mental illness before situations turn violent.”

The recent fracas on Bush Road serves as a sobering reminder that mental health is not only a medical issue but also a social one — affecting families, neighborhoods, and public safety. Without significant intervention and sustained government support, Sint Maarten may continue to see preventable incidents that place both vulnerable individuals and the wider community at risk.

~Finance Minister grilled over liquidity crisis, consultant spending, and delays in appointing a new CEO~

PHILIPSBURG: --- TELEM Group, the government-owned telecommunications company, came under sharp scrutiny in Parliament on Thursday as Members of Parliament (MPs) pressed Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs for clarity on the company’s finances, leadership, and accountability.

The discussion unfolded during a Question Hour initiated by MP Daryl York, who sought direct answers about TELEM’s governance and financial health. Minister Gumbs, acting as the government’s designated contact person for TELEM, fielded 14 questions that exposed growing concerns about liquidity, management practices, and delays in executive appointments.

Serious Financial Concerns Identified

According to Minister Gumbs, a recent “quick scan” of TELEM’s operations revealed pressing liquidity challenges and the need for a full-scale turnaround plan. The review recommended:

• The sale of TELEM’s main building to generate cash flow;
• The implementation of a financial and operational turnaround strategy; and
• Stronger oversight and accountability mechanisms to stabilize the company.

To provide short-term relief, the government is finalizing a ƒ3.5 million guarantee to cover severance payments owed to former employees and to assist with operational liquidity.

However, when asked if the findings of the quick scan could be made public, Gumbs declined, citing commercial sensitivity and ongoing negotiations with creditors. She instead offered to present the report to Parliament in a closed-door session, maintaining that full disclosure could risk TELEM’s financial position.

Travel and Consultant Costs Raise Eyebrows

The minister also revealed details about TELEM’s recent spending, noting that management and staff spent approximately ƒ231,000 on travel over the past nine months, while consultant travel costs totaled ƒ170,000, primarily linked to a single network project.

Gumbs added that only three consultants—two of them local—currently serve in-line functions at TELEM, while others are hired for specific short-term projects.

These revelations sparked concern among MPs, who questioned whether such expenditures were responsible given TELEM’s precarious financial state.

Leadership Appointment Delayed

MP York also pressed Gumbs on the prolonged delay in appointing a new CEO, pointing out that the recruitment process had been completed months ago.

Gumbs explained that the delay was linked to the need to complete TELEM’s turnaround plan, which will determine the future structure of the company’s leadership. She confirmed that the quick scan was completed in July and presented to the Council of Ministers in August, adding that a decision on the new CEO is expected by the end of October.

York questioned the timing, suggesting that the action appeared to coincide conveniently with the parliamentary meeting. “The quick scan was finished in July,” he said. “So why are we only seeing decisions now—right after this meeting?”

MPs Widen the Scope of Questions

Other MPs used the opportunity to raise broader issues surrounding TELEM’s management and accountability:

• MP DE Weever asked whether Gumbs was acting officially as a shareholder representative or simply as the designated contact person. Gumbs clarified that a Council of Ministers decision in August 2025 had formally assigned her to the role due to TELEM’s financial challenges.
• MP Doran inquired about the Fibre-to-the-Home project and an additional switch purchased and installed in Curaçao, asking whether it was functional.
• MP Irion questioned whether TELEM’s consultants are paying taxes locally and called for a forensic audit of the company in early 2026.
• MP Lacroes asked about potential collaboration with Starlink, noting prior discussions about TELEM serving as a local distributor for the satellite internet provider.
• MP Lewis sought clarity on TELEM’s debts and cash flow, asking how long the company could continue operating under its current conditions.
• MP Ottley raised concerns about employee unrest and asked how the government ensures TELEM can meet its financial obligations and loan commitments.

Minister Promises Follow-Up

Minister Gumbs acknowledged that several questions would require input from TELEM’s management and the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport, and Telecommunication (TEATT). She committed to providing written follow-up responses and to sharing TELEM’s 2023 audited financial statements once available, along with the upcoming 2024 report.

She also emphasized that TELEM will be required to submit monthly financial reports and participate in regular oversight meetings with the government to ensure fiscal compliance and operational transparency.

As the meeting concluded, it was clear that Parliament’s patience with TELEM’s leadership and the government’s oversight role is wearing thin. MPs across party lines emphasized the need for transparency, stronger fiscal discipline, and swift action to restore public trust in one of the country’s most important state-owned enterprises.

For Minister Gumbs and TELEM alike, the coming months will prove decisive—both in delivering on financial turnaround promises and in rebuilding confidence within Parliament and the public.

PHILIPSBURG:--- What began as a routine sitting of Parliament quickly escalated into a heated exchange over government responsiveness and accountability, as Members of Parliament (MPs) voiced growing frustration at what they described as a widening “democratic deficit” between the legislative and executive branches.

The third public meeting of the 2025–2026 parliamentary year moved swiftly from formalities to fury, with MPs accusing ministers of failing to appear before Parliament and of allowing critical matters to languish without answers.

‘The People Should Not Suffer for Political Malpractice’

MP Egbert Doran led the charge, delivering a scathing critique of what he called “a dangerous trend” of ministerial neglect.
“We have traveled to the Netherlands to discuss the democratic deficit,” Doran said. “But there seems to be a serious democratic deficit right here in the House of Parliament. The people should not have to suffer for this political malpractice that is taking place.”

Doran’s remarks drew murmurs of agreement across the chamber as he cited several pending meetings—including those concerning banking legislation, dividend tax reform, and the Central Bank—that remain unscheduled or unanswered by the respective ministries.

MP York Demands Answers

Following Doran, MP Daryl York underscored the same frustration, revealing that his faction had sent three unanswered letters to the Ministry of Finance, one as far back as May.
“It doesn’t take months to answer whether tax holidays were granted or not,” York said. “This delay is unacceptable.”

York emphasized that such delays undermine not only the efficiency of Parliament but also public confidence in government. “When basic questions about tax policy go unanswered for months, it sends a troubling message about transparency,” he warned.

Growing Concerns Over Accountability

The exchange highlighted a recurring tension in Sint Maarten’s political landscape—MPs say ministers frequently postpone meetings or fail to respond to written inquiries, leaving Parliament unable to perform its oversight role effectively.

Observers noted that Thursday’s confrontation could signal a tougher stance by Parliament heading into the new legislative year, especially as several critical issues—including fiscal policy, state-owned enterprises, and public sector accountability—remain unresolved.

As one MP privately remarked after the session, “It’s not just about politics anymore; it’s about principle. The people deserve a government that answers when called.”