BELIZE CITY, Tues. Apr. 14, 2020– Late this afternoon, Doug Singh, who is the Chairman of the Belize Social Security Board (SSB), Chairman of the Elections and Boundaries Commission and a director of Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL), abruptly submitted his resignation letter to Prime Minister Dean Barrow.
Singh’s hasty resignation from all the aforementioned positions occurred shortly after an interview that he gave to Belize Breaking News (BBN) reporter, Aaron Humes, went viral in social media.
Unbeknownst to Singh, Humes had recorded the interview, which somehow got posted on social media, where a firestorm of criticism was launched against Singh.
What was supposed to have been a straightforward interview did not turn out that way. Singh’s tone and repeated use of profanity throughout most of the interview was unbecoming for the holder of such high office.
Additionally, his characterization of some of the persons who had applied for the $300 monthly assistance from GOB, revealed a definite bias against an entire class of poor Belizeans, for whom Singh showed no sympathy or empathy.
Since Singh did not consent for his interview to be recorded, we will not repeat some of the aspersions and foulmouthed descriptions he leveled against Belizeans who are already marginalized economically.
Singh made it quite clear in the interview that after the 3-month program of government assistance is over, even those Belizeans who legitimately lost their employment due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be on their own.
Singh, 57, who is considered a UDP insider, served as chairman of the UDP and Minister of Police and Public Security in Prime Minister Dean Barrow’s Cabinet in 2010, until 2012, when Barrow replaced his then National Security Minister Carlos Perdomo with Singh, who was the Leader of Government Business in the Senate at the time of his Cabinet appointment.
In his resignation letter, Singh told PM Barrow, “Under your leadership as Prime Minister, I have been honored to serve in the various capacity that you have chosen to appoint me. I am indeed humbled by the trust you placed in me and for the opportunity to serve my country and people.
“While the tasks were often challenging, I was always comforted that I [did so at] the request of a great leader and Prime Minister, and I did so with my best efforts and maintained the full integrity that was expected of me.”
“For that reason, Sir, I will not allow the greater purpose of your national effort in this crisis to be undermined by any perceived expressions made by me,” he said.
At that point in the resignation letter, Singh stopped short of saying what those “perceived expressions” might be.
The letter quickly accomplished its purpose, saying, “I hereby tender my resignations as Chairman of The Social Security Board, Director of BTL and Chairman of the Elections and Boundaries Commission.”
“Once again, I thank you for the honor and privilege to serve,” Singh said at the conclusion of the letter.
Singh’s term as chairman of the SSB fell short of the 5-year duration of the post.
Feature photo: Doug Singh