As the clock ticks down on Suriname’s National Assembly (DNA) to rule on a high-stakes indictment request from Prosecutor General Garcia Paragsingh targeting three former ministers — Bronto Somohardjo, Riad Nurmohamed, and Gillmore Hoefdraad — committee leaders are moving to wrap up work before the legal deadline expires on June 9. Despite the tight timeline, Rabin Parmessar, chair of the parliamentary special committee handling the case, has moved to calm public anxiety, insisting there is ample time to complete the process before the cut-off date.
The committee has already concluded all public hearings on the matter and is now drafting its final report, which will first be presented to DNA’s internal caucus meeting before a final binding vote is held in a full plenary public session. Parmessar told local outlet Starnieuws that the public has no reason to panic, confirming the committee will gather this week to finalize the concluding report for submission. He also emphasized that the body has no intention of allowing the legal deadline to lapse without taking formal action. Under Article 4, Paragraph 3 of Suriname’s Law on the Indictment of Political Office Holders (WIPA), a prosecutor general’s request is automatically rejected if DNA fails to issue a decision before the mandated deadline.
The cross-party committee is made up of seven members: Rabin Parmessar (NDP), Dew Sharman (VHP), Xiabao Zheng (PL), Jennifer Vreedzaam (NDP), Mahinder Jogi (VHP), Ivanildo Plein (NPS) and Ebu Jones (NDP). With only three seats out of seven, the ruling NDP does not hold a majority on the committee, leaving the final outcome dependent on cross-party support.
Current indicators suggest there is already broad enough backing within the legislature to approve the prosecution’s request. Both the VHP and NPS have publicly stated their support for allowing the courts to hear the case against the three former officials. Notably, Bronto Somohardjo, one of the three ex-ministers targeted, has openly stated he welcomes the indictment, as he wants the chance to defend himself in open court. He also confirmed his own parliamentary faction will back the prosecution’s request.
The only undecided position so far belongs to PL committee member Xiabao Zheng, whose final stance remains unannounced. Even if Zheng does not support the request, observers note a parliamentary majority is still well within reach, as Somohardjo retains the right to vote on his own case as a sitting member of DNA. Beyond the VHP, most NPS legislators and the ABOP party have also publicly expressed support for Paragsingh’s request.
It is important to note that a positive vote from DNA would not automatically mean a guilty verdict for the three former ministers. The assembly’s decision only clears the path for formal criminal prosecution, after which the Court of Justice will review the full facts of the case and issue a final ruling on guilt or innocence. That final judgment rests exclusively with the court, not the prosecution or the national legislature.
With the June 9 deadline fast approaching, DNA is expected to clarify the next steps for the high-profile procedure against the three former office holders in the coming days. As of now, no internal caucus meeting to consider the committee’s final report has yet been scheduled.