Chang Orders Investigation; Wrong Tabling of SOE Regulations

National Security Minister, Dr. Horace Chang, in a statement this morning ordered a probe for the incorrect tabling of SOE regulations in Parliament, Tuesday.

Dr. Chang then reassured Jamaicans that the correct regulations in keeping with the recent court ruling will be tabled in the house on Thursday and in the senate on Friday. Dr. Horace Chang says the incorrect tabling of regulations for the State of Public Emergency, declared in the parish of St. Catherine on Friday, is a matter of concern. Dr. Chang, who tabled the wrong regulations on Tuesday, says a probe has been ordered into how the error occurred.

He then called back members of parliament to the House of Representatives, to table the correct legislation on Thursday. Dr. Chang says these amendments were necessary to meet court standards; however, the opposition raised concerns on the effectiveness of the SOE due to recent regulations. Member of Parliament for St. Andrew South Division, PNP Chairman Angela Brown-Burke, argues that the SOE could’ve been avoided in the parish,

After Dr. Chang confirmed persons who have been detained, were not as a result of the SOE’s regulation. Brown-burke went further, to share her frustration being called back into parliament to correct the error, noting Thursday is the day for her constituency.

The re-tabling of the State of Public Emergency, St. Catherine will go to the Senate on Friday. The Supreme Court ruled recently that the state of public emergency imposed in St. James 2018, violates the rights of a citizen due to unconstitutional powers. As such, Roshaine Clarke in his court case was awarded approximately 18 million dollars.

Reporter: Justin Graham