Dear Editor,

It’s another week in which we are yet again talking about Dennis Chung’s appointment as chief technical director of the Financial Investigations Division (FID).

Fresh concerns arose after a Gleaner lead story highlighted that the newspaper company was denied access to information regarding Chung’s appointment.

If the Government truly had nothing to hide, according to information minister, Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon, why then was access to this pertinent information denied?

As it turned out, retired Deputy Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey was selected for the post, in keeping with the law enforcement requirement on the initial job advert, but he admitted that he declined accepting it. Consequently, another round of advertisements was done, with a modified job description, and Chung was selected after a rigorous process. However, Senator Morris Dixon said no documentation exists regarding the decision to remove the law enforcement background.

Having sat on many interview panels, I know that discussions are held many times about the candidates and even the job descriptions. However, with such a high-level post, and given the political climate in Jamaica, especially in an election-charged period, it is important to be very careful with processes to ensure fairness, integrity, and transparency.

Many Jamaicans already do not trust the political system, and the slightest of actions will be perceived as an act of corruption. Consequently, documentation is needed to ensure that all the established procedures were duly followed.

On the matter of corruption, the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) needs to tone down the rhetoric of corruption in the governing Jamaica Labour Party (Party). While the party should not be quiet about the issue, it needs to bring substance to the table. As the general election draws nearer, the electorate needs substance in terms of the plans it has should it be returned to power. Jamaicans have not manifestly voted concerning matters of corruption; therefore, the corruption rhetoric cannot be used to persuade the masses.

By the way, given that the Integrity Commission’s annual report has been tabled and is now a public document, what are we to make of the information that the investigation into the prime minister’s statutory declarations has been closed for a year now?

Oneil Madden

Maddenoniel@yahoo.com