FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis. Photo: Dante Carrer
By Keile Campbell
Tribune Staff Reporter
kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has called for a “purge” and an “enema” to cleanse Bahamian politics in the wake of the US court ruling in the Baha Mar case.
“This country needs a purge,” Dr Minnis declared in Parliament on Wednesday, adding: “This country needs an enema to cleanse the bowel of politics.”
His call came after a New York court ruling in favour of Sarkis Izmirlian, the original developer of Baha Mar, awarding him $1.6 billion in damages against contractor China Construction America (CCA). CCA has filed an appeal against the ruling.
Dr Minnis described the judgment as a “black eye for The Bahamas” and called for transparency regarding claims of corruption within former administrations, which he believes tarnish the nation’s integrity.
Citing a Tribune editorial, Dr Minnis outlined specific allegations, including a claim that CCA paid $2.3m to Leslie Bethel, the son of Sir Baltron Bethel, who served as a top adviser to then-Prime Minister Perry Christie.
He asked: “Why was the son of the government’s point man paid $2.3m?”
“This is too big to be swept under the carpet,” Dr Minnis said, saying these claims impact the entire Bahamian political landscape.
As he called for a commission, he asked: “Do we have a nation for sale?”
Comments
joeblow 2 weeks, 6 days ago
... funny Minnis would comment, because he is the first piece of bowel waste that needs to go!
IslandWarrior 2 weeks, 6 days ago
While perhaps not at the scale alleged in the Baha Mar case, his tenure as Prime Minister was not without controversies surrounding political patronage, alleged wealth disparities, and perceived interference in legal and governmental processes. This raises questions about the enduring structural issues within the Bahamian political system that go beyond any one administration.
The entanglement of the political executive in the daily administrative functions of the government presents a systemic flaw, creating fertile ground for corruption, political favouritism, and lack of accountability. As long as ministerial departments, under the control of elected officials, manage critical areas of governance, the influence of political agendas over fair and independent decision-making remains a persistent issue. This structure enables wealth-based prejudice, and party-driven interference in legal matters, and undermines the autonomy that should define governance, leading to societal stagnation and widening inequalities across the nation.
A reformed approach could involve redefining the role of ministers as policymakers exclusively, rather than managers of institutional operations. Decision-making, regulatory oversight, and day-to-day administrative tasks should rest within an independent legal framework, ensuring impartial governance without political interference. Government institutions should be led by individuals selected based on qualifications and merit rather than party allegiance, with these public servants, held accountable by law and governed by transparent processes that are rooted in the public interest.
Accountability at every level of governance is crucial to dismantling the entrenched culture of political favouritism. From Permanent Secretaries down to other government officials, each individual must operate within a system of legal accountability that upholds public trust. This includes being sufficiently qualified for their roles, being insulated from political pressures, and being elected or appointed through fair and open processes.
Ultimately, Members of Parliament and the Prime Minister bear responsibility for oversight, ensuring that policies are enacted lawfully and that officials are held to a high standard of accountability. This shift towards a governance model based on law, rather than on personal alliances or party loyalty, could foster a culture of integrity in Bahamian politics.
TalRussell 2 weeks, 6 days ago
Thee "Comical" Mr. Minnis, needs to be cleansed free of his COVID ways. -- Nonviolent purges often just involve removing the purged individuals from office, whilst Violent Purges often involve imprisoning, exiling, or murdering them. -- The colony's murders -- Done near to exceeding previous 2023 count of 110 murdered. -- And, Fox Hill Prison is experiencing a Slop Buckets and Toilet Papers shortage. -- Yes?
birdiestrachan 2 weeks, 4 days ago
This man needs an exorcist. . The devil from hell cast out of him why use Mr Bethel and his son for brownie points. Doc be careful he who sows the wind will reap the whirl wind. A dullard no doubt.
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