THE Andrew Holness-led Administration has scoffed at claims that certified public accountant Dennis Chung is not the best man to head the Financial Investigations Division (FID).

The Government’s chief spokesperson Dr Dana Morris Dixon has also urged anyone with information to suggest that the correct process was not followed in his appointment as the new chief technical director for the FID to come forward.

Since the Ministry of Finance announced on Wednesday that the outgoing general secretary of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) would be given the top job, there have been criticisms from the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) of the appointment.

On Thursday, the PNP used a media briefing at its Old Hope Road, St Andrew, headquarters to warn that if the appointment is not rescinded in 72 hours, it would take islandwide action.

But, responding to questions at a special post-Cabinet media briefing at Jamaica House a few hours later, Morris Dixon, the minister of information, was adamant that Chung’s appointment followed normal procedures.

“Every single senior appointment in the Government goes through a process… The position is advertised, individuals apply, there is a panel that is put together that shortlists candidates, and then there is an interview process that takes place. There is a panel that is put in and…the members of that committee score each of the persons, and then they make a selection,” said Morris Dixon.

“So there is a process that would have been followed and, from all the information that I have been given, that process was followed,” she added.

Morris Dixon argued that while some people are celebrating Chung’s appointment, there are others who are not, “but the reality is that as Government we have put in place particular systems, especially in the hiring of senior Government officials, and those processes were followed.

“If you have something to say it was not, then tell us that,” she declared.

The information minister told the briefing that while she has not done any research on Chung, she remembers the “fantastic job” he did as chairman of the National Solid Waste Management Authority despite having no expertise in that area. He served the NSWMA for nine years, from 2015 to 2024.

According to Morris Dixon, she has confidence in the team that conducted the process and selected him to head FID.

“No one just wakes up and a minister calls and says, ‘Here is a job for you,’ it cannot work like that. There is a process where persons apply for a position, interviews are done, there is a criteria that is set, in terms of what you want and the competencies that you want, and a selection is made at that point.

“That is what has happened in this case, and as I have said, if you have other information contrary to that, please let us know,” added Morris Dixon.

In announcing the appointment of Chung on Wednesday, the finance ministry noted that he has held several senior roles, including financial controller in various industries and as a consultant.

The ministry pointed out that he served as project manager, divestment team, and head of legacy operations, divestment team, at Air Jamaica Limited.

From 2018 to 2022, he led Supreme Ventures Services Limited as chief executive officer.

Chung has also held directorships at several institutions, including the Bank of Jamaica, First Global Financial Services, and the Betting, Gaming & Lotteries Commission.

He now serves on the boards of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, Wigton Windfarm Limited, and GK Capital Management Limited — all of which he will demit prior to his start date at FID on Monday.

“With a strong foundation in accounting, corporate governance, strategic management, and transformational leadership, Mr Chung is well-positioned to lead the FID. His mandate will include advancing the division’s efforts to combat financial crimes, overseeing the implementation of operational policies and systems aligned with the FID Act, and strengthening asset recovery initiatives in accordance with the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA),” said the ministry in a media release.

Chung will replace Selvin Hay, who demitted office in July 2024, when his resignation from the JFF takes effect on May 31.