I remember Mark Linehan, former CEO of Digicel Jamaica, saying how he embraced the opportunity to work in Jamaica. He said that growing up in Ireland he enjoyed our music and athletic triumphs and considered Jamaica “the coolest country in the world”.

Though bruised by negative headlines — if it bleeds, it leads — we have to remind ourselves that there is still much that makes us very cool.

Our Electoral Office of Jamaica, under the keen oversight of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica, is so well run that it is now managing not only national elections but also private exercises. Director Glasspole Brown and his team are readily available for media interviews, and although the People’s National Party (PNP) decided not to contest the recent by-election in St Ann North Eastern, it was executed with the required diligence.

While there are already accusations that the upcoming US elections will be “rigged”, we have no such expressions from either of Jamaica’s two political parties. Our poll workers are not in fear for their lives. Yet we have to admit that there are certain individuals who taint our social media pages with cynical criticisms of their opposing representatives.

Let us remember that in a democracy we respect the choice of the majority regardless of party. When they represent us abroad, let us be proud and affirming. We can save the political jousting for their return and, even then, choose our words carefully. Remember, if you repost or forward an e-mail containing a libellous statement, you are liable for prosecution.

The cowards who hide behind pseudonyms to spew their poison can be identified easily, so the disguises are pointless. As our sovereign State matures, we appeal to our political parties to reflect this in their campaigns. Nothing speaks louder for a representative – whether Member of Parliament or caretaker – than the actions he/she takes towards serving his/her constituents.

My friends in the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and PNP, you have stepped up to serve your country and for that we are grateful. Now please help us to cool the political heat that can damage our social and economic status in the international arena.

Usain Bolt and pensioners need justice

The Stocks and Securities Limited scandal has brought pain to pensioners who had put their trust in this once-respected financial company and anger to supporters of Usain Bolt, whose US$12-million loss is a disgrace. Just after the news broke, on a visit to family in the US, they expressed shock that the legendary Bolt could have been dealt such a hard blow.

Following on expressions of frustration by Bolt on social media and lead stories in the media, Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke released a statement on the matter. He began, “The multi-billion Stocks and Securities Limited fraud, which dates back to at least 2010, and which only came to light in January 2023, was a punch to the gut for all Jamaicans. The magnitude of the fraud, its duration, and the fact that the victims included several elderly Jamaicans as well as a beloved icon shocked the nation. I shared and still share those emotions.”

He noted that his ministry took immediate action, via our Financial Investigations Division (FID), to hire Kroll Associates, UK, “a multinational firm of forensic auditors who have considerable global experience”. The FID was able to again report to Jamaicans in December 2023, also by press release, that “there are over 200 affected accounts and a staggering amount exceeding US$30 million [$4.7 billion] attributable to fraud and other irregularities related to clients’ funds. This was up from the estimated 40 affected accounts and $2 billion that was initially reported in January 2023”.

Minister Clarkeassured, “The investigative bodies were able to submit a file to the ODPP [Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions] in December 2023 for an investigation that began in January 2023. I cannot think of a precedent for this level of efficiency among similarly complex financial frauds of the past… Finally, we must remember that the ODPP is a constitutionally independent office with great expertise and experience.” He appealed for patience and we hope this will soon be rewarded.

Reverse Income Tax Credit

Minister Clarke announced a reverse income tax credit last week for persons who earn below J$3M annually. This applies to those in the PAYE system, the self-employed whose tax payments have been made up to August 31 of this year, and holders of the 2022 NIS Stamp Card paid up to 31 August 2024.

Please go to https://www.mof.gov.jm/reverse-income-tax-credit/ online and follow instructions to make your application. Up to last Friday, up to 40,000 individuals have applied. This column has been urging employers of household workers to assist them with their NIS cards. Hopefully, many have their NIS cards up to date, and are able apply for what can be a veritable windfall for a humble household.

Too many missing teens

The social media X page for the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) is filled with photos of missing teens, the majority of whom are females. Our Ministry of National Security has been highlighting the scourge of human trafficking that has been taking place here and worldwide. We have heard real-life accounts from young women who answered a job advertisement only to be caught in a web of abuse and drug addiction right here in Jamaica. It is disgraceful that women are playing a role in this horrible practice.

Please warn your children about going into strange places unaccompanied and entrapment on social media by conniving ‘cat fishers’. I have been posting reminders of the ‘SOS’ function on even the cheaper smartphones. If you are in danger, you simply press the power button and it will send designated people to your actual location. Here is how: Go to ‘Settings’, then to ‘Safety and Emergency’. Activate the ‘SOS’ button, entering the contact names and information. You can choose to press the power button twice or thrice in an emergency.

This alert is also useful for elderly people who live alone. Instruct them to always keep their phones in their pockets or within reach in the event of falls or other emergencies.

CCA Moon Festival

Members of the Chinese Cultural Association celebrated the Chinese Moon Festival yesterday at their Barbican Road headquarters.

The association is open to Jamaicans of all races and features talks on various cultures. We remember with appreciation the late Dr Kai Meng Lui who co-founded the Association with Jamaica’s Nobel Laureate Professor Anthony Chen, who continues as a member of the executive.

Professor Ronald Young was elected president at the annual general meeting earlier this year, along with other executive members, Set Yoon Smith, Marcia Davis, and Shulin Liu-Lym.

CCRP Living Legacy Honorees

CCRP recently announced their distinguished honorees for the 2024 Living Legacy Awards. They are Marva Bernard, Dr Lucien Jones, Hermine Metcalfe, Dr Pauline Milbourn, Justice Seymour Panton, and Kumar Sujanani.

The presentation luncheon will be held at Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Sunday, November 3.

We thank sponsors BPM Financial, Juici Patties, National Baking Company, Supreme Ventures Limited, Sterling Asset Management, WIHCON, Gallagher Insurance Brokers, and Sandals Resorts which have donated the gate prize.

Jean Lowrie-Chin is an author, communications expert, and seniors advocate. Send comments to lowriechin@aim.com.

Jamaica continues to enjoy free and fair elections.

Jamaicans must be respectful of each other’s political choice.