PHILIPSBURG:--- Nation, Opportunity, Wealth, (NOW) Member of Parliament Lyndon Lewis has issued a forceful rebuke of recent statements circulating on social media allegedly made by Dutch far-right politician MP Thierry Baudet, who allegedly proposed repopulating St. Maarten with hundreds of thousands of Dutch nationals to assert “complete control” over the island. The comments, made during a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee for Kingdom Relations, have sparked outrage across the Dutch Caribbean and beyond.

MP Lewis called Baudet’s remarks “deeply offensive, dangerous, and steeped in outdated colonial thinking.” He warned that such rhetoric undermines the core principles of equality, respect, and mutual partnership that should govern relations within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

"The Dutch in the past had restrictions on their own people, prohibiting them from overpopulating the then Netherland Antilles by the Admittance and Expulsion Law (LTU)." Lewis said.

The idea that our island should be overrun and reshaped by foreign settlers to serve someone’s imperial fantasy is not only deeply insulting, it’s a direct threat to the dignity, identity, and autonomy of our people,” said Lewis. “This is not 1625. It is 2025, and St. Maarten will not tolerate any return to colonialist ideology, no matter how it’s dressed up.”

Baudet, leader of the far-right Forum for Democracy party, allegedly suggested during his appearance that if 300,000 to 500,000 Dutch citizens were relocated to St. Maarten, the island would become “completely ours” and fall “under control,” turning over the Netherlands. He further proposed the Dutch Caribbean into a tax haven and a hub for economic experiments, comparing it to Hong Kong and Dubai, while suggesting the exploitation of natural resources in nearby waters.

MP Lewis described the remarks as a “disgraceful display of historical amnesia and political extremism,” noting Baudet’s known history of promoting racist and nationalist conspiracy theories. "The Sint Maarten people will not tolerate his nonsensical approach," Lewis stated.

‘’Mr Baudet’s comments are not economic proposals, they are fantasies of dominance, rooted in a disturbing worldview that sees Caribbean people as expendable and Caribbean territory as exploitable, he said. Such rhetoric has no place in the past nor in modern democratic discourse and must be roundly rejected by every responsible member or leader within our Kingdom.”

MP Lewis also urged his colleagues in both the Kingdom Parliament and the Dutch government to distance themselves clearly and publicly from Baudet’s vision.

Silence or lukewarm responses in the face of this kind of dangerous speech are a form of complicity. If the Kingdom is truly committed to justice, equality, and decolonization, then it must condemn these ideas in the strongest terms.”

MP Lewis reiterated his commitment to safeguarding the sovereignty, identity, and democratic rights of St. Maarten and the Dutch Caribbean on a whole and its people, while advocating for a Kingdom based on mutual respect—not imperial nostalgia.

PHILIPSBURG:--- As the vibrant Carnival season approaches, a shadow of discontent looms over the justice sector. Justice workers have announced plans to initiate a go-slow during this festive period, and their grievances can no longer be ignored. Frustration has been building within the sector for months due to stagnation under the leadership of Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling. After six months in the office, many justice workers feel that her tenure has been characterized by inaction and unfulfilled promises.

Mounting Frustration with Leadership

Upon assuming office, Minister Nathalie Tackling inherited several critical responsibilities, most notably the issuance of LBs (Function Books) and expediting essential processes within the justice sector. Yet, since her appointment, not a single LB has been issued, leaving numerous justice workers in limbo. This comes despite the significant progress made by her predecessors, Anna Richardson and Lyndon Lewis.

Anna Richardson, for instance, worked diligently to finalize and begin the distribution of LBs before departing the office. Her efforts provided a clear roadmap to address long-standing issues in the sector. Similarly, Lyndon Lewis, a justice worker himself, hit the ground running during his tenure and continued the forward momentum.

By contrast, Minister Tackling, despite her credentials as an attorney, has been unable to pick up where her predecessors left off. Instead, justice workers report a litany of excuses and a critical attitude toward Lewis's work. Six months have passed without tangible progress, leaving the workforce understandably fed up.

Beyond the Numbers: Real-Life Impacts

The consequences of this inaction extend far beyond justice workers themselves. Delays in processing residency permits have had a ripple effect on several sectors. Medical staff, essential to the healthcare system, are reportedly working illegally, putting their careers and livelihoods at risk. These delays also affect foreign teachers who play a vital role in educating the nation's children. For these individuals, bureaucracy isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a threat to their stability and ability to contribute to the community.

Justice workers argue that Minister Tackling’s failure to address these pressing issues has created a bottleneck. While her recent press release offered more excuses, justice workers are demanding results. From their perspective, the lack of action is a failure of leadership.

The Broader Implications

The planned go-slow during Carnival sends a powerful message. This season typically represents joy and togetherness, but if key justice services are scaled back, the effects could be chaotic.

The justice workers’ protest also underscores a larger issue within public administration. It serves as a reminder of the importance of continuity, accountability, and effective leadership. The public counts on government leaders to ensure essential services run smoothly. When that trust is broken, the entire system suffers.

A Call for Urgent Action

The justice workers, like the community they serve, are asking for leadership that delivers on its promises. It’s time for Minister Tackling to address these grievances head-on. Issuing the overdue LBs, expediting residency permits, and ensuring medical and educational staff can work legally are critical steps that need immediate attention.

Carnival is a time of celebration, but it also offers a moment of reflection. The justice workers’ planned protest may disrupt the season’s festivities, but their demands call for a reckoning. The justice sector is vital to the nation’s functioning, and its frustrations should not be dismissed lightly. Minister Tackling must seize this opportunity to prove she can lead with competence and vision, or risk further erosion of trust in her leadership.

Islandpreneur partners with .GROW for exclusive Digital Leadership Program

 PHILIPSBURG:---  Global strategist, ecosystem builder, and founder of Islandpreneur International, Ife Badejo, will serve as a featured guest lecturer at the Digital Business Strategy & Leadership (DBSL) Course, taking place from May 12–15, 2025 at Holland House in St. Maarten. This high-impact executive program is designed to equip leaders with the frameworks, foresight, and tools to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world.

Hosted by GROW, this four-day immersive program is led by Drs. Ing. Ricardo Abdoel MSc, a pioneer in digital education and systems thinking, and includes cutting-edge insights on quantum leadership, digital transformation, and innovation ecosystems. The addition of Ife Badejo to the faculty brings a powerful layer of relevance and inspiration to the experience—especially for professionals navigating the dynamic realities of small island economies.

“We are no longer in an era where knowledge alone is enough—leadership today requires innovation, boldness, and alignment with purpose, which includes technology. This course will help you unlock that,” says Badejo.

With over a decade of experience empowering entrepreneurs and executives across the Caribbean and beyond, Ife Badejo brings deep insights into:

• Scaling with limited resources
• Building inclusive innovation ecosystems
• Turning purpose into profit
• Navigating complex markets with agility and vision
• Leading confidently as a high-impact change agent

As the founder of Islandpreneur International, she has helped hundreds embrace digital tools, rethink their strategies, and transform into global-minded leaders. Her session during the DBSL course will blend practical strategies, bold vision, and real-world results, making it a must-attend for anyone seeking to lead with clarity in this digital age.

This program is uniquely curated for executives, senior professionals, entrepreneurs, ICT strategists, policymakers, and change-makers who are ready to:

• Navigate uncertainty with clarity
• Lead digital transformation initiatives
• Expand their global impact while rooted locally
• Build sustainable, values-driven business models

Some of the key topics covered in the executive learning experience include:

• Strategic foresight and systemic thinking
• Digital transformation and data governance
• Open innovation and market positioning
• Quantum leadership and emotional resilience
• Human-centered change and ethical leadership

This course is built for the Caribbean changemaker. With leaders like Ife Badejo onboard, we’re not just talking digital—we’re driving transformation that starts here and scales globally. 

This program is likely to be fully booked shortly. For more information go to www.thisisgrow.net and to register contact .Grow at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

PHILIPSBURG:--- Orco Bank is proud to announce its sponsorship of the inaugural St. Maarten Science Fair Week 2025, a groundbreaking initiative designed to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, artists, and innovators. The event brought together secondary school students from across the island to showcase their creativity and passion for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). By contributing to this initiative, Orco Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to youth empowerment, education, and sustainable community development. “As a responsible financial institution, we believe it’s vital to support platforms that equip our youth with the tools and mindset to build a brighter future,” said Judy King - Richardson, Country Manager for Orco Bank Sint Maarten. “The Science Fair Week is more than just an event—it’s a movement that fosters curiosity, innovation, and critical thinking among our young people.” The bank’s contribution helped fund various components of the week-long event, including student led exhibitions, interactive panels, STEAM career field trips, and a culminating award ceremony recognizing outstanding achievements that took place last weekend. This initiative aligns with Orco Bank’s core values of building strong communities and empowering the next generation to lead with knowledge and confidence. Orco Bank congratulates the St. Maarten Science Fair Foundation on launching this impactful project and looks forward to seeing the creativity and brilliance of local students on full display. For more information about Orco Bank, please visit https://www.orcobank.com. Stay connected and follow us for daily updates on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/OrcoBank .