A defiant Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Paula Llewellyn has declared that she is not afraid amid widespread criticisms about how the extension of her tenure was handled by the Government and the ensuing controversy engulfing her office.

Opening her address to members of the May Pen Rotary Club on Saturday, the DPP quoted lyrics from reggae singer Tony Rebel’s 1997 hit ‘If Jah’.

“If Jah is standing by my side then why should Paula Vanessa Llewellyn be afraid, and you notice that I stopped it right at that phrase and I am not going to go any further,” said Llewellyn to loud applause from the audience.

“Because my parents, my mother hailed from Sanguinetti and my father from Frankfield, Cow Pen and I have broughtupsy and I was taught whether privately or publicly to respect everybody even those who disrespect me,” she continued. “And when Michelle Obama said when those who wish to go low, you continue to stay high. And that is part of being a public servant who believes in service above self, who believes in a commitment to excellence and the work ethic and most importantly who believes that you are here to serve the public and it is not the public serving you and your ego.”

Last week, despite objections from Opposition Members of Parliament and senators, the Government used its superior numbers in the Parliament to amend the constitution to increase the retirement age of the DPP and the auditor general (AuG) from 60-65 years. It means Llewellyn could remain in office until she is 70 since the Governor General can extend the tenure of the office holder under special circumstances.

The controversy has led to calls for Llewellyn to refuse the extension or step down as DPP. Last week, the Senior Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Kathy Ann Pyke, a one-time close associate of Llewellyn, wrote to Prime Minister Andrew Holness appealing to him not to extend the DPP’s tenure.

READ: Deputy DPP warns of possible exodus over decision to extend Llewellyn’s term

In her address to the Rotary Club, Lewellyn went on to speak on the evening’s theme, ‘create hope in the world’, which she said seem to be ordained by God, as it was providing her with the necessary motivation she needed to continue on her journey as a public servant.

“This week, it was God ordained. I accepted these invitations; for May Pen from April, the one for Manchester about two weeks before,” she said.

“And little did I know that I would be privileged to be sharing the aura of the Jamaican people that I serve, and I would be getting the telepathic, comforting thoughts, ‘You go girl’ and continue to give service above self,” she added.

The Rotary Club of May Pen installed its 34th President, Sergeant Deane Cover at the event.