Opposition leader Hector John has discredited an article by a columnist who claimed that Opposition Leader of St. Kitts Mark Brantley did not have his fellow Opposition Leaders’ support to speak on their behalf at the inaugural OECS Assembly.
In an article, Charles Jong, a public relation consultant based in St. Kitts, wrote, “It is unclear whether secessionist Mark Brantley who spoke on behalf of the Leaders of the Opposition of member states had unanimous support from his peers as three of them were visibly absent for the August occasion.”
The article entitled, “Disunity Among OECS Opposition Leaders?” appeared in a St. Kitts newspaper and several online news organizations.
But speaking to the media in St. Kitts John disagreed and sought to discredit Jong’s column. “Hon. Brantley got the support of everyone to represent our interest, which he did with eloquence and passion for the advancement of the sub-region,” the St. Kitts Observer quoted John as saying on the matter.
The opposition United Workers Party (UWP) has made it clear that Brantley has its full support. In a press release to the media in Dominica after the Assembly, the party said it was particularly pleased that he raised concerns that continue to seriously affect the people of the sub region, particularly Dominica.
“The issues of Electoral Reform, Freedom of Information, Good Governance and Election Petitions highlighted by Hon. Brantley were well on point and should receive the full attention of all authorities across the region, including non-OECS countries,” the UWP said in the release.
John is not the only regional opposition leader to endorse Brantley. One week before the Assembly began, the opposition in Antigua said it supports him as the spokesperson for opposition parlimentarians.
Jong’s article went on to claim that after the assembly, several regional parlimentarians were heard saying Brantley’s speech was disrespectful to sitting prime ministers and several of these parlimentarians were seen apologizing.
But the media in St. Kitts is quoting John as denying these assertions. “I never heard any Parliamentarian making any negative comments about the presentation of Hon. Brantley. In fact, he was congratulated by his colleagues from the different Governments and Oppositions and also by the invited guests. He was interrupted on several occasions by applause of approval and support during his presentation as he firmly articulated the position of the Oppositions of the Sub-region,” he told the St. Kitts Oberver.
John said Jong’s article was an attempt at divisiveness.
The historic inauguration of the OECS Assembly took place on Friday August 10 in Antigua and Barbuda. The Assembly is made up of five members of the Parliament of each independent OECS Member State and three members from the Legislature of each non-independent Member State, with representation from both government and the parliamentary opposition, including the Head of Government and the Leader of the Opposition.
Dominica was represented by Opposition Leader Hector John, who attended as a member while UWP Senator Ezekiel Bazil went as an observer.
Dominica’s government was represented by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, Public Works Minister Rayburn Blackmoore and Minister for Trade Colin McIntyre.
I have previously blogged on our Nevis Politics forum about that eloquent inaugural speech that the Honorable Mark Brantley presented while in Antigua earlier this month,representing all the leaders of the OECS.Honorable Mark Brantley sits in the opposition thus never got the FAIR chance to be in government,due to the malicious irregularities orchestrated by those in government and those in authority to manipulate the electoral process.
On the other hand Mr Charlie Jong who hails from China by nature of birth, who particularly engaged himself in corrupting the electorial laws by all means necessary.His despicable acts were and are condemned by the majority of our good people in Nevis,and moreso he further seeks to attack Mr.Brantley in every shape and form,while Mr Brantley fights to restore decency,integrity in public life and most important or democracy.
I am not amazed that Mr Jong will go the extra mile to corrupt the electoral process in the OECS region,if he is remained to be strengthen by those who callously reign as our leaders,not good news at all for the sub-region!
Dear DNO: – you do not have to open EVERY article to comments. One of the ways to improve the quality of your website’s product is to start presenting the news story – and let it speak for itself.
I find nowadays it have too much tay-lay-lay from some of the comments you allow – then again, how does one fairly police comments? It’s best to block all of them out. Just my 2 pence.
SHAME SHAME SHAME on de Labor Parties in de region. De truth hurting all u?
More honor to u Hon. Hector John. Highest honor to u Mr. Mark Brantley for speaking on de highest platform of truth and sincerity. De entire region owes u. Ur participation and speech was as great as or even greater than Usain Bolt’s Gold Medal at the London Olympics. Very effective and affecting speech. That speech was so powerful our phony leaders were caught with their pants down belittled and obviously shamed and embarrassed.
This leap year something will either bend or break. We need a change. Now.
POLITICS BWOY…If I say it it is good, if you say it is not good…if I say it, it is not good and I fou say it it is good.
We are political animals….wooooshhh
The article of Mr Jong is unfortunate, malicious and divisive. I listened to the entire proceedings and felt that the Hon Mark Brantley’s presentation at the OECS Assembly was on target and dealth with issues of substance affecting the democratic process in the sub-region. Hon Brantley’s spoke with clarity and requisite passion. He was the right choice to represent the OECS opposition. I must also say that all who spoke did so with brilliance. Long live the OECS Assembly. The Sambalats and Tobias must retreat and allow this historic institution to grow.
i don’t know if you realise it but all the labour parties in our OECS behave the same way. its as if they read from the same book. Also a certain prominent attorney seems to be friends with ALL the labour party leaders in the OECS. ALL.
There doesn’t have to be unity among opposition leaders.
Mr. John, I am very proud of the manner in which you have clarified this divisiveness being perpetrated by this St. Kitts Labour Party operative. You see Labour has no long term solutions to economic empowerment of the people they represent, they are the cause of the increase in crime and poverty due to their lack of planned programmes and so they trying to continue to fool the people , but, can the fool all the people all the time… it is time for labour to GO… or less our island states will be doomed, it is nit improvement to infrastructure alone that is going to improve our well being as a people, where are the JOBS??? Going to the chinese, ofcourse, where is the international, selfishly not built to ensure no new business is established and foryoung and nassief belly remain full while the masses suffer. all a plot to make those who do not support labour to continue to suffer and the labourites to continue to eat crumbs from the floor of their masters…magway sa
Do ur thing my Boy to the best of ur ability (and more) and one day Jah will bless you….
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/charles-jong/39/bb1/1b6
Mr. Jong’s resume. Now what is your opinion about his article.
I went to the link, very interesting information. He , Mr. Jong, is listed as a communication consultant for many political parties in the Caribbean including the labour party in Dominica. Go to the link and see for yourself people
Chales Jong is an uneeducated idiot nothing more nothing less
Not surprised at all. Expect more operatives across the OECS to fabricate untruths deliberately, in their continued efforts to divide and rule.
The views and concerns unanimnously expressed by the collective opposition parties of the OECS was like a thorn in the sides of the Ruling political parties and their reps. present.
The truth must be told at all fora. The burning issues of Electoral reform,, good governance must be talked about always. Govt is refusing to give the “Independent Electoral Commission the funds.” So Govt. do not want the “dirty” bloated Electoral list to be cleaned? They do not want Voter ID cards for proper identification of all eligible voters?
Shouldn’t the electoral process or system be reformed to ensure FREE and FAIR elections? We know who stalling that reform. We know why. The attempts by a few to derail or prevent changes to our electoral process will never bear fruit. before next general elections, Dominicans must and will ensure proper mechanisms are put in place to strengthen our elections in dominica and to make suree it is FREE and Fair AT ALL TIMES for the good of all.
Why should any Govt. refuse to respect the rightful wish of the people and recommendation of the Commission? Doesn’t the Constitution give the Commission the right by law to request and receive those funds? Why should Gov’t put a spoke in the wheel of change in our electoral system?
Seven Years now Dominicans are pleading to Skerritt and his Gov’t to release the funds. Nada. No answer. Nothing. De Boss-man say, “No money, no reform.”
Fight on my people. Our struggle for FREE and FAIR elections and against corruption is reaching the ears of the people in the region and all over the world. Millions are on the side of us calling for electoral reform and Good Governance. The people will no longer be subjected to cheating, fraud, unequal access to the nation radio and TV, and disregard for electoral laws.
Who does finance campaign? Where all that money coming out? is not our dam* business? It cannot be said that we are living in a democratic country, when so many undemocratic things are happening.
Like Jong, too many in the Caribbean despise the truth. To them the people must remain in perpetual ignorance. No freedom of information act. “Who are they to know. And even they get to know, who could touch us?” So boasts men with power, in power. Even when their secret deals are investigated, researched and revealed to the public, they twist and turn and defend the facts. Truth must prevail. Electoral reform now.
everytime i see Hector he looking darker and slimmer…. must be on a diet and taking a tan…
I am in support of Brantley and wish him and othwrs who dare talk of corrupt practices well and to continue to stand tall and away from these corrupt politicians, Prime Ministers especially Dominica`s. We owe it to the public once elected to be transparent, acounatble and good citizens……the Caribbean islands are infested with these double deeds leaders escpaicilly Dominica.
Charlie Jong is a St Kitts Labour Party operative. Mr John, you should not expect much better from him – just part of the politricking on the island. Mark Brantley is the politician most feared by the St Kitts prime minister, so I am not surprised. Hector John please excuse this Labour Party activist.
Dominica’s government was represented by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, Public Works Minister Rayburn Blackmoore and Minister for Trade Colin McIntyre.
Thank you Mr.Hector John. It is good that you have come to the defense of your OECS opposition colleagues. Indeed, the columnist, Charles Jong has many axes to grind and he is mad as hell that the speech of Mr. Brantley was so well received at the inaugural meeting of the OECS Assembly.
Mr. Jong appears to have been deliberate in his malicious attempt to undermine the effectiveness of the address of the Leader of Opposition of St Kitts. One could tell as much by his use of the label “secessionist” to describe Mr. Brantley. It is easy to discredit the statements of Charles Jong as everyone who listened or read the address of Mr. Mark Brantley ought to be convinced that this address was the highlight of the inaugural OECS Assembly. The frequency of the thunderous round of applauses that interrupted the delivery of this eloquent speaker told the true story.
At this stage, it does not matter to me and many others whether or not there is any truth in the statement of Mr. Jong. What is clear is that Mr. Brantley stole the show with his address of socio-political and constitutional truths that the dishonest and corrupt members of government from Dominica and elsewhere would have preferred not to hear.
Whether or not Mr. Mark Brantley had the overwhelming support of the Opposition Leaders in the OECS is actually not worthy of our consideration at this juncture. What we need is unity, cooperation, and more meaningful and active consultations between the leadership and opposition at the level of each Member State.
The fact that the Opposition was given a voice in the Assembly is in itself a victory. My advice to Mr. Hector John is to stick very closely to Mr. Brantley and learn how the opposition should speak and deliver a substantive message with conviction and purpose. Take note and let us all renew our commitment to the further integration of the OECS and building a wider society on principles of truth, transparency, accountability, integrity and good governance.
Let all those in opposition take the opportunity to build for the future as they should see themselves as being in a temporary position of opposition. As Mark has advised, this is our OECS and government and opposition must join hands together with we the people in ensuring that we have good domestic and local governance at the local and regional levels if we are to move ahead in regional unity.
Its rather regrettable that some persons of the cloth seek to hide behind all kinds of names these days.
our society is shrinking and rumors abound, Its quite distasteful that the issues which confornt us continue to be cast aside for all kinds of sensational stuff. For those of us who saw the opening Dominica played no real role. With all the jump and wave of Pm skerrit he stood there as an idle observer. While we say he has a deep mandate but his so called leadership is really not being showcased either at caricom meetings or OECS. He continues to remain in the shadows of comrade Gonzales who use his as if he is a pilot project under the name of decisive leadership…..so Skerro go into ALBa Skerro go into petro caribbbbb ))))) If it works then i will follow you ,,,,,,,,,
So Hector seems to be lost in the wind of politics. He doesnt have a clue as to what is happening around him. he looked shell shocked at the meeting and was really some side show. Pm skerro was not too far off. no mention of their names etc…….
So ROSOVALLEY please keep DNO out of your propaganda and as a known person in the valley we do appreciate the predication of the truth and we are aware of the con artist in our midst
Is this jong guy the same dude who found himself insulting Dominicans on the patriot email forum. If that is the same guy then iam not surprised at all.
As a citizen of the OECS, I feel proud that at that level the democratic voice of opposition could be that eloquent. Mark Brantley delivered an address rich in substance and style. That’s the “level” that I hope to hear in each member State.
Charlie Jong is a St Kitts Labour Party operative. Mr John, you should not expect much better from him – just part of the politricking on the island. Mark Brantley is the politician most feared by the St Kitts prime minister, so I am not surprised. Hector John please excuse this Labour Party activist.