Detailed: How Timothy Harris himself is not following "Freedom of Information Act, 2018" by not disclosing US $1.1 billion prison deal

As the elections of St Kitts and Nevis are predicted momentarily, politicians are well expected to use a wide range of persuasions and spinning techniques. The current Prime Minister, Dr Timothy Harris, repeatedly published a picture of his "Good Governance Agenda" which outlines 12 laws enacted or amended by the administration led by him.  

Let's begin with the first point that underscores the introduction and passing of the Freedom of Information Act. 

 

How St Kitts and Nevis PM is contradicting the Freedom of Information Act? 

The actions of the Prime Minister showcase how he contradicts the Act. The Act is only in the books, while in reality, no person can access any particular information that the highest office holds. 

A developer based in St Kitts said that he had applied to get information on a prison project under the Freedom of Information Act. He stated that he applied to obtain information concerning the prison project given to the Caribbean Galaxy in exchange for 5,500 citizenship applications, but the government did not reply to all queries. 

Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2018 states that every person shall have the right to freedom of information, including the right to access information held by public bodies, subject to the provisions of this Act. However, Timothy Harris made the Act dysfunctional to feed his greed.

There is a difference between "gilding the lily" and lying with a strategic intent that is now growing in St Kitts and Nevis. 

Click here to read the full version of the Freedom of Information Act, 2018: St Kitts and Nevis

The Prime Minister is now lying on the face of the people. If the government is actually following the Freedom of Information Act, this means they must disclose the Prison project information to the public. The question is why PM Harris and Ying Jin, CEO of Caribbean Galaxy, are keeping silence on this? There is a big boil among the people of St Kitts and Nevis after the Middle Eastern Times exposed US $1.1 billion scam of Les Khan, Ying Jin and Prime Minister Timothy Harris.  

An additional fact also gives more credibility to the leak about PM Harris, Les Khan and Ying Jin's close relationship, as most of the events conducted by the People's Labour Party are held at the Ramada Hotel in St Kitts, which is surprisingly owned by Ying Jin (Caribbean Galaxy). 

Fundamentally, the Freedom of Information Act, 2018 was enacted to ensure transparent proceedings of the government and its dealings with several stakeholders of the country. The Act's part 2 (the right to access information held by public bodies) section 7 clearly states that for the purposes of this Act, a public body includes an established by or under the Constitution, and established by statute, which forms part of any level of the branch of government, owned or controlled or substantially financed by funds provided by government or the state, carrying out a statutory or public function.

But the proceedings are not being correctly followed. There are many loopholes that the government left to safeguard itself from the judicial system, but it will not help in manipulating the people. In the meantime, the government need to be very careful about how they refer to these claims once they have been proven to be true. 

Apart from this, there is an additional angle to the story. St Kitts and Nevis cherish a good relationship with Taiwan and the country has been in support of St Kitts and Nevis in all good and bad times. However, the personal relationship between the Prime Minister and the Republic of China-based Ying Jin might upset many diplomatic relations. It will not only impact Taiwan, but it will also have a dire impact on their association with the US, UK and European countries. 

Following the responses of developers in St Kitts and Nevis, it was revealed that a large number of them are upset with the government's approach. Many reached out to Middle Eastern Times, uttering their side of the story.

PM Timothy Harris posted on his Twitter handle boasting that St Kitts and Nevis government has significantly reduced the homicide ratio in the country. If it is true as he says, why the government is spending US $1.1 billion on a prison in the country if there are no or very less criminals? Is it that the prison is being constructed with 7-star hotel amenities so in case, Les Khan, Timothy Harris or Ying Jin are sentenced a jail term they must have a good life inside similar to the one they had outside using people’s money. 

As the fourth pillar of democracy, we believe in giving a stage to everyone who wants to speak against injustice and express their views. We call upon all developers, agents and all other persons who are in any manner related to development or connected explicitly with the prison project to send their reviews, comments, statements, or reactions to middleeasterntimesdubai@gmail.com. We commit ourselves to the confidentiality of all, so we ensure all persons providing us with appropriate responses that their identity will be kept anonymous and will never be revealed to anyone.