A Surinamese politician facing potential prosecution over alleged official misconduct is calling for full public transparency ahead of his parliamentary hearing, demanding the proceeding be opened to public viewing to allow citizens to follow the process firsthand.
Bronto Somohardjo, a member of the National Assembly of Suriname representing the Progressive People’s Party (PL), is one of three former cabinet ministers that the Public Prosecution Service has moved to initiate criminal proceedings against, a step that requires formal parliamentary approval under the country’s Law on the Incrimination and Prosecution of Political Office Holders. The two other former ministers in the case are Riad Nurmohamed, and Gillmore Hoefdraad, who remains a fugitive from authorities.
In a formal written request submitted to Rabin Parmessar, chair of the special parliamentary commission tasked with hearing testimony from the accused politicians, Somohardjo has pushed for an open, public hearing. He argues that Suriname’s general public holds an inherent right to maximum transparency for a high-stakes proceeding that has drawn widespread public attention across the country.
“As an elected people’s representative, I hold the position that the public must have the opportunity to follow the hearing and my responses to questions directly,” Somohardjo stated in his request. “I have nothing to hide.” He added that he stands ready to provide full cooperation to the National Assembly’s special commission throughout the process.
The final decision on whether to open Somohardjo’s hearing to the public rests with the full National Assembly and the special oversight commission. Per the current official schedule, the hearing is set to convene at 11:00 a.m. local time this coming Friday.