Dear Editor,

It was with a sense of embarrassment that I watched on television last weekend the tax department and police raid on Digicel Jamaica’s premises. This exercise of “raw power” reminds me of photos I have seen of the Nazi Gestapo in the not too distant past.

I have absolutely no problem with the collection of taxes. All who are eligible must pay or be made to pay. What I have a serious problem with is the manner in which this activity is carried out.

The tax department generally walks with television lights. For what purpose? You will catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

Digicel is what is good about a corporate foreign-owned company. Are we going to allow Gestapo tactics to terrify and frustrate them? I would hope not.

Let’s take a few things into consideration.

* Digicel is one of the largest employers now when the economy is in a state of flux.

* Digicel had its choice of where to build its head offices. It chose Jamaica.

* Digicel is a good corporate citizen.

* Digicel is good for Jamaica.

* Jamaica is good for Digicel (warts and all).

I think something is wrong with a state institution that terrorises the few people who choose to invest millions in our country.

Then there are the band waggonists who are seeking popularity and relevance by jumping on all newsworthy (juicy) stories. These are some of the same people who cause companies to leave our shores; they have changed their clothes and are appearing to be as pure as the driven snow.

I can remember Goodyear Jamaica Limited that packed its bags and went. To my mind, that is but one of the companies that was terrorised into leaving.

Find another way to deal with Digicel if it is not paying its fair share. But quite frankly, I believe Digicel over the tax department any day — and this is from personal experience of having to deal with both the tax workers and Digicel.

Leave Digicel alone. We have a way of shooting ourselves in the foot, and ultimately in the head.

T Jamrock

Kingston 5