The management of Suriname's MelkCentrale NV has been suspended after a massive fraud worth SRD17 million has emerged.

Happy Monday!

This week, we continue to examine the scandal that has rocked one of Suriname’s main dairy companies. The Dutch Royal family is expected to visit Suriname after it celebrates 50 years of independence on November 25th, 2025.

The management of Suriname’s Melkcentrale N.V. has been suspended due to an ongoing police investigation.

• The management of N.V. Melkcentrale Suriname, a state-owned dairy company, has been suspended due to an ongoing police investigation into large-scale financial fraud involving over SRD 17 million.

• Eight employees, including a deputy director, have been detained. Investigations found that company revenues were not deposited and were kept off the books, with further irregularities in administrative operations.

• The Ministry of Agriculture has handed over all documents to law enforcement, emphasizing zero tolerance for corruption. The investigation continues, and interim leadership has been assigned to maintain operations.

The Director of the company has been taken into custody and questioned in the fraud case.

• The Director of Melkcentrale N.V., Dewkoemar Sitaram, and Deputy Director of Administrative Services, Dharma Hardayal, have been officially taken into custody after extensive police questioning regarding an SRD17 million fraud case.

• Earlier, Deputy Director of Operational Services, Guilliamo Marlan, and seven other employees were also detained; the total number of people in custody now exceeds ten.

• The investigation, led by the Criminal Cases Unit of the Herman E. Gooding police station, was triggered by an internal audit and a formal report from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Fisheries (LVV).

• Since 2018, more than SRD 17 million has reportedly been embezzled from the company's funds, according to preliminary findings.

• Minister Mike Noersalim (LVV) confirmed the full transfer of the case to police and prosecution, stating that criminal prosecution is inevitable for those involved in corruption. Among the suspects is also Kishen Jhagroe, a former supervisory board president.

• The fraud has led to a governance crisis at the company; both Sitaram and Hardayal have been suspended, and Monché Atompai (board president) is now temporarily in charge. The investigation is ongoing.

The National Assembly approved an amendment to the Public Debt Act to improve debt management in the country.

• Speaker Ashwin Adhin says that it strengthens financial governance and professionalizes the law.

• The amendment tightens rules around the debt ceiling: any exceeding of the ceiling is only allowed under strict conditions and must be supported by a debt strategy as outlined in Article 15a.

• The Minister of Finance and Planning is now required to submit an annual public debt plan alongside the state budget, creating a direct link between debt management and the national budget cycle.

• A short transition period in Article 28 emphasizes budget discipline and the timely normalization of public debt, signaling Parliament’s commitment to fiscal responsibility.

• The law introduces a Deputy Administrator General at the Public Debt Office to ensure continuity and enhance the institution’s operational and strategic capacity.

• Adhin cautioned that while the law improves debt control, it does not solve the root causes of financial instability, which lie in the need to increase production, exports, and revenue — the foundation of sustainable economic and financial sovereignty.

The President at the UN General Assembly asked for assistance in protecting over 90% of its forest and has received pledges for USD 20 million.

• USD 20 million pledged by international environmental organizations to President Jennifer Simons for nature conservation in Suriname is set to be disbursed, with preparations currently underway.

• The coalition, led by Re:wild and including Rainforest Trust, Art into Acres, Andes Amazon Fund, and the Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg Foundation, made the pledge during Climate Week in New York in support of Suriname’s commitment to protect 90% of its forest and adopt the Sustainable Management of Nature Act by 2025.

• Climate advisor John Goedschalk stated that over the next few months, concrete project plans will be finalized with the government, with implementation expected in the second quarter of 2026.

• Projects will focus on expanding protected areas, promoting regenerative agriculture (like permaculture), and developing sustainable ecotourism, while also investing in infrastructure, training, and access to electricity in remote areas.

• The initiative aims to link nature conservation with the economic resilience of local communities, including improving the capacity of park rangers.

• President Simons welcomed the progress and global support, noting it reinforces Suriname’s role as a carbon-negative nation and opens doors for green financing, eco-tourism, and regional environmental partnerships.

The King and Queen of the Netherlands are scheduled to visit Suriname after its 50th anniversary of independence celebrations.

• King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima will pay an official state visit to Suriname from December 1 to 3, as confirmed by the Dutch Government Information Service (RVD).

• The visit is at the invitation of Surinamese President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons and aims to strengthen cooperation between Suriname and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

• The state visit comes shortly after Suriname’s Independence Day (Srefidensi) on November 25, which will be attended by outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof.

• The RVD states that the visit will focus on broad cooperation and the warm relationship between the two countries and their people.

• The visit highlights a continuing effort to deepen diplomatic and cultural ties, following historical and post-colonial connections.

• Further details about the program and agenda are expected to be announced closer to the visit.