The SIKI foundation, speaking through its president and legal expert Jayburtt Dijkhoff, expressed a resounding rejection of the way the AVP–FUTURO Government is handling HOFA-related matters. According to Dijkhoff, the only words that can describe this situation are “Foei Foei Foei” (Shame on you).
An Attack Against Aruba’s Autonomy
Dijkhoff emphasizes that the current government’s actions are so unworthy that they represent a direct attack on the autonomy of the Country of Aruba. He stresses that, based on our island’s figures, Aruba does not need this agreement. Meanwhile, the government is requesting additional loans amounting to millions of florins, without Aruba actually needing them.
The AVP–FUTURO Government is pushing Aruba toward a direction of control without Aruba receiving the benefits that Curaçao and St. Maarten received at the time. However, it must be noted that even though they received benefits, it is important to look at where Curaçao and St. Maarten stand today.
At this moment, Aruba stands without a HOFA and is the only country stronger than in 2028, capable of reaching 50% according to the national monetary fund to ensure we are on solid financial footing. The question is why this cannot be questioned and why it is insisted that we must enter the HOFA. Where did the formation go, what was negotiated in the Netherlands that changed COHO into the Rijkswet HOFA—these are points that, unfortunately, the parliament of Aruba remains silent on. Where has parliament gone?
According to Jayburtt Dijkhoff, the Government of Aruba has come up with a way to consolidate figures where the parliament of Aruba no longer has visibility over where the florins are going, forcing everyone to simply trust the good word of the government. Is this reliable? Is this transparent and dignified to do to the Country of Aruba?
While parliament sits and remains silent, it is slowly stripping itself of its own authority to control the government of Aruba. Yet everyone is quiet, nobody says a word—does Aruba have a rubber-stamp parliament?
Parliament Has Lost Authority
A point of extreme concern brought forward by Dijkhoff is the loss of parliamentary authority. After 40 years of Status Aparte, he laments how this Parliament is allowing the government to continue consolidating figures and removing authority from the legislative body to oversee the executive branch.
“What do we have, a rubber stamp for a Parliament?” he asked, referring to the parliament’s self-inflicted powerlessness.
Call to the People
Concluding, Jayburtt Dijkhoff urges the people of Aruba to wake up from their slumber, question this management, and rise up to defend the country. He insists that a united people is the only way to face these challenges. The citizen of Aruba voted for Aruba to move forward, not backward.
“A united people, no force in the world can break,” is the message resonating in his statement.
The time has come to unite forces once again.