THE country’s three major business lobby organisations have urged the combatants in the current brouhaha over the Integrity Commission’s investigation report on Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s statutory declarations to calm down and allow the State entities mandated to handle the matter to do so without undue influence.

“As a nation, it is essential that we allow the institutions of good governance and oversight to have the freedom to carry out their mandates without public intimidation, derision, or coercion. It is imperative that both our leaders and the agencies involved approach this serious matter with professionalism, ensuring their actions are executed with utmost care, transparency, and respect,” Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC), Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), and Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) said in a joint statement on Monday.

The three organisations made the appeal amid heated verbal exchanges between the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) on the matter that has reopened deep political divisions in the country.

In its report tabled in Parliament last Tuesday the Integrity Commission recommended that Financial Investigations Division, Tax Administration Jamaica, and the Financial Services Commission take a closer look at the transactions and dealings of three companies linked to Prime Minister Holness. The transactions amount to more than $470 million.

However, after months of the PNP hammering Holness on the inability of the commission to certify his declarations, the commission’s director of corruption prosecution concluded that it did not have enough evidence that Holness deliberately sought to mislead it when he failed to declare four bank accounts with a combined balance of just under $446,000.

Responding in the House last Tuesday, Holness rejected aspects of the report and suggested that the law governing the commission be reviewed to prevent the entity from being politicised.

However, the PNP has called for Holness’s resignation, saying that his continued presence in office is a disservice to the Jamaican people and the country’s democratic system.

That call, though, was rejected by the JLP which described it as “desperate and unwarranted”. The ruling party also restated a concern “about the appearance that members of the PNP have unique access to information from the Integrity Commission”.

Additionally, after a mid-morning press conference last Thursday called by the PNP in which it reiterated its call for Holness to step down, he instructed his attorneys to file action against senior members of the Opposition who, he said, defamed him at the news conference.

On Monday, in their joint statement, JCC, PSOJ, and JMEA said, “Good governance, integrity and accountability are fundamental pillars of our society, and we rightfully expect our leaders to meet these high standards.”

The groups said they are proud of Jamaica’s standing as the leading Caribbean nation on the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, ranking 24th globally out of 180 countries. “This achievement emphasises the significance of freedom of expression. However, we encourage all Jamaicans to engage in public discourse with responsibility, ensuring that comments remain measured and constructive,” the groups said.

“In light of these values, we urge everyone to respect the ongoing processes and allow them to reach their conclusion without undue influence.”