arliamentarian Dangui Oduber has voiced strong opposition to the proposed Rijkswet HOFA, calling it a direct threat to Aruba’s financial autonomy and democratic rights.
Oduber criticized the government for presenting the law to the Rijksministerraad without consulting Aruba’s Parliament, arguing that such a move disrespects the island’s highest governing body and its people.
According to Oduber, Aruba’s financial situation has drastically improved in recent years, with a budget surplus of 500 million florins and consistent debt repayments under the Wever-Croes II cabinet. “There is no motive, and certainly no justification, to hand over our financial freedom and autonomy,” he said.
The MP warned that if the Rijkswet HOFA is passed, Aruba’s Parliament will lose its right to vote and amend the law, leaving decisions in the hands of 150 members of the Dutch Parliament. “This takes away our voice, our right to vote, and our autonomy. If approved, Aruba would never be able to exit this law again,” he cautioned.
Oduber also pointed out that Aruba already has its own financial supervision framework, the Landsverordening Aruba financieel toezicht (LAft), ensuring proper fiscal oversight.
Drawing comparisons to Curaçao and Sint Maarten, he argued that when they accepted similar conditions for their “Status Aparte,” the arrangement was temporary, while Aruba is being asked to surrender its autonomy permanently in exchange for only a modest reduction in interest rates.
“Arubans are proud people. We may be small, but we have always proven that we are capable of managing ourselves,” Oduber stated. He vowed to closely monitor developments around the Rijkswet HOFA to prevent what he described as an “illegitimate government” from selling out Aruba’s freedom.
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