KINGSTON, Jamaica — Senator Abka Fitz-Henley has strongly condemned the People’s National Party (PNP) for its protest against the appointment of Dennis Chung as chief technical director of the Financial Investigations Division (FID), calling the demonstration a “vulgar and inappropriate attack” on the Public Services Commission (PSC).
Speaking at a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) conference on Monday, Fitz-Henley described the protest as an “out-of-order challenge to due process” and declared that the JLP government “will not be bullied” into reversing a decision made through due process.
READ: In pictures: PNP protests against Chung’s FID appointment, says it sends ‘chilling message
He stressed that Chung’s appointment followed a process coordinated by the PSC, which included advertisement, interviews and final selection. He added that criticism of Chung’s qualifications was without merit, noting that previous FID heads also lacked direct law enforcement experience and had academic backgrounds in fields such as accounting, business administration, economics, and information technology.
Fitz-Henley also pointed out that Chung has served under various administrations and had even been recruited by the former Portia Simpson Miller-led government to lead the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA).
He emphasised support from the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, which he said deemed Chung suitable for the post, and quoted public commentator Gordon Robinson, who stated that, “Dennis Chung is as qualified to be FID chief technical director as anybody else.”
The senator went on to accuse senior PNP members of engaging in acts of intimidation which he said were of “inappropriate conduct”, adding that the alleged behaviour “offends due process” and “sends a chilling signal” to public servants.
Fitz-Henley further claimed that the PNP was pressuring office holders in sensitive agencies and interfering in their work, calling on such individuals to consider filing complaints.
He referenced past PNP opposition to the appointments of other public officials, including Paula Llewellyn as the director of public prosecutions, Lieutenant General Rocky Meade who previously served as third chief of defence staff of the Jamaica Defence Force, and Major General Antony Anderson as former commissioner of police, suggesting a pattern of targeting individuals “who they feel they cannot control”.
The senator also took aim at PNP candidate Isat Buchanan, referencing Buchanan’s past conviction for drug smuggling in the United States and denouncing his public comments opposing Chung’s appointment.
READ: WATCH: ‘No to Chung’ says Buchanan
Fitz-Henley dismissed the PNP’s behaviour, stating, “They are desperate, they are in panic because they have no message and their only plan is to tell lies on Prime Minister The Most Honourable Dr Andrew Holness and in a futile bid bring down the duly elected Government of the Jamaica Labour Party.”
Pointing to the Government’s achievements, including the lowest unemployment and poverty rates in Jamaica’s history and a 44 per cent decline in murders, he asserted that the JLP administration would not be intimidated and would continue “doing right by the Jamaican people”.
READ: JLP rejects PNP call to rescind Dennis Chung FID appointment
READ: Rescind Chung’s FID appointment in 72 hours or else, warns PNP