Native watchdog group Jamaica Accountability Meter Portal (JAMP) has pointed to a necessity to make sure confidence in a brand new head of the Monetary Investigation Division (FID), this following the introduced appointment of chartered accountant Dennis Chung to the place.
That is whereas the Opposition Folks’s Nationwide Celebration (PNP) has since demanded the immediate rescinding of Chung’s appointment, with a declaration that failing that reversal, there will likely be motion nationally.
In a press release on Thursday afternoon, JAMP mentioned the next:
“The Monetary Investigation Division is a vital part of Jamaica’s accountability framework. It’s critical that the division doesn’t stay with out an appointed head for an prolonged time. The top of the division should have the total confidence of the society – having the requisite {qualifications}, demonstrated independence and impartiality.
“In opposition to this background, the Jamaica Accountability Meter Portal is looking for clarification of the current appointment of Mr Dennis Chung to the submit of Chief Technical Director (CTD) of the Monetary Investigations Division (FID).
“The Monetary Investigations Division is legally mandated to guide complicated investigations into cash laundering, monetary crimes and asset tracing, significantly the place public officers are involved. Its remit contains collaboration with worldwide our bodies and native companies such because the Integrity Fee, Tax Administration Jamaica, and legislation enforcement—usually in (involving) politically delicate and high-value issues.
“Whereas the newly appointed CTD is a professional chartered accountant, there are not any identified indications of (him having) prior expertise in:
• Complicated forensic investigations involving politically uncovered individuals (PEPs),
• Main or managing legislation enforcement or monetary crime groups,
• Working in anti-money laundering or asset restoration fields,
• Navigating cross-border mutual authorized help or FATF/Egmont requirements.
“JAMP requires additional clarification of the appointee’s experience within the above (areas). We make this name as, however the FID’s employment of gifted forensic accountants, analysts and investigators, its institutional power extends as to if the top brings the requisite competencies to critically assess their output and set investigative priorities with authorized procedural and strategic implications in thoughts.
“The job requires greater than accounting; it requires accountability.
“Along with the breadth of expertise and competencies for main the division, the position of chief technical director of the FID calls for the best degree of independence and impartiality. JAMP has considerations, given Mr Chung’s public feedback with respect to the Integrity Fee’s reviews into issues that had been referred to the FID in 2024.
“JAMP due to this fact calls on the Ministry of Finance and Public Service to:
• Make clear the choice course of and standards used to nominate the present (pending) CTD;
• Share the job specification and {qualifications} profile that knowledgeable the appointment;
• And think about the necessity for legislative reform to codify competency requirements for this vital place, if none exists.
“At stake isn’t just the end result of anybody investigation, however the confidence that should be impressed in an establishment tasked with defending Jamaica’s monetary integrity in an more and more complicated world.”
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