THE EDITOR, Sir:
EVERY PRINCIPLE of an ordered society takes place based on trust.
We drive on the left trusting that all others will. We trust our police force will protect us. We trust our bankers to be honest.
We trust the electronic scanners in the supermarkets. We trust our leaders will be honourable.
When the trust we have is eroded or lost, the system breaks down. This is what has taken place in Jamaica. We have lost faith and trust in our leaders, and until this returns chaos will reign.
Deputy Commissioner Mark Shields has noted this, calling for the police to demonstrate that they are 'trustworthy and professional' and that the public do not have full confidence in the Jamaica Constabulary Force, thus their inability to function
effectively and the subsequent chaos.
In order to maintain the system, it is essential that those found to be in violation be brought to account for their transgressions. This system of accountability must be absolutely transparent for it to maintain its integrity.
In the United States recently, there have been several cases in public life where public figures have been brought to account for their actions. Bernie Ebbers, former chief executive officer of WorldCom., has just been convicted of falsifying accounts.
Martha Stewart has just completed a prison term for insider trading. Their system of maintaining public confidence is functioning and people will continue to invest, as confidence is upheld.
This has not been the lesson for us as when we had our financial problems a decade ago no one was made to account fully for what happened. The result is that history is repeating itself.
As the Dyoll fiasco unfolds, confidence in the stock market will be lost, if immediate action is not taken and seen to be transparent and impartial.
The resulting fallout will be felt across the entire insurance industry as homeowners will withdraw from reinsuring their property, thus putting the country at greater risk. The entire economy will again falter.
The time has come for those responsible to rebuild and re-establish the trust necessary for us to grow. Give them wisdom lest we perish.
I am, etc.,
ANTHONY MOYSTON
coyabo@mail.infochan.com
Arawak P.O, Mammee Bay, St. Ann
