Miss Universe Belize Pulled Into “Mira Millions” Debate

Belize’s Miss Universe, Isabella Zabaneh, is used to standing in the spotlight, but this weekend, it was her politics, not her crown, that drew attention. Zabaneh is facing backlash after publicly supporting calls to increase government’s ten-thousand-dollar spending threshold during the PUP’s National Party Council meeting in Dangriga. Critics say the reigning queen, who represents Belizeans across the political divide, should stay out of partisan debates, especially while the “Mira Millions” scandal continues to raise serious questions about public spending. That threshold sits at the heart of the controversy, after being flagged as a possible loophole used to avoid Treasury oversight in suspicious payments linked to the Ministry of Defense.

 

Isabella Zabaneh, Stann Creek West Constituent

“I would like to urge the consideration of a lift of the threshold from ten thousand to a higher number. What matters is the value for money and ten thousand is simply too low for ministry’s to be allowed to spend, Its micromanaging everybody from the top down to the botton, We need strong oversight but ten thousand is too low in this economy, Many thirty years ago it was appropriate but it burdens the office of financial secretaries to be micromanaging all of the ministries Great leaders are remembered for making hard decisions. So I urge this administration to consider making a hard decision. We are not a party of thieves, we are a party of love and we are not afraid of any other porty or any other media propaganda that they will push.”

 

After Zabaneh’s remarks, Prime Minister John Briceño said government is building a public procurement portal that will allow Belizeans to track public spending online.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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