‘Jolinda Craane is Clark Abraham in a skirt’, says MPB faction leader Hennyson Thielman

KRALENDIJK – Tensions within the governing coalition of UPB, MPB and the one-man faction of Salma Serberie appear to be escalating. A day after the unexpected departure of deputy Joselito Statia, prominent representatives of the two coalition parties openly exchanged sharp criticism through radio interviews on Tuesday.

On the Brunch programme of radio station Live99, MPB faction leader Hennyson Thielman launched a fierce attack on the interim chairwoman of UPB, Jolinda Craane. According to Thielman, Craane, who works as an adviser to the now-resigned deputy Statia within the Department of Spatial Planning & Development, has been guilty of intimidating and authoritarian behaviour towards civil servants.

Thielman claimed that employees were being pressured and even threatened when they did not comply with Craane’s demands. The most striking statement in the interview was his comparison of Craane with PDB leader Clark Abraham.

“Jolinda Craane is Clark Abraham in a skirt,” Thielman said.

With that remark, he referred to allegations that Abraham had also displayed an intimidating management style towards civil servants during his time as deputy.

Later that day, Craane responded in an interview on Live FM. She barely addressed the substance of the accusations. She also largely left unanswered Thielman’s criticism of her working relationship with former deputy Statia and her conduct within the Department of Spatial Planning & Development.

Instead, Craane turned her fire on Thielman himself. According to her, the MPB faction leader’s remarks show that he is not yet ready to take responsibility for governing Bonaire.

Craane also declined to comment on the succession of Statia, stating only that it is important to find a well-qualified candidate suitable for the role of deputy.

At the same time, the UPB politician attempted to downplay the tensions within the coalition. She compared the situation to a sports team in which a player sometimes has to be temporarily taken off the field so the team can ultimately win the game.

Island governance not at stake

Craane stressed during the interview that in her view the continuity of island governance is not at stake and that the administration will continue, “with or without the MPB.”