The Gleaner NA Specialty Edition

THE GOVERNMENT has withdrawn the national award it bestowed on popular pastor Merrick ‘Al’ Miller, bowing to public pressure over the decision amid the clergyman’s crimi- nal convictions and his unrepentant attitude. The development comes as Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced his intent to overhaul the selection process for the nation’s highest civil- ian honours. “It has been rescinded some time now,” confirmed Dr Horace Chang, deputy prime minister and chairman of the National Honours and Awards Subcommittee of Cabinet, the group which recommends awardees. Chang saidWednesday that he could not discuss the issue further because it was a Cabinet matter. Miller was among 144 awardees named on Independence Day. However, Jamaicans lashed out at the pastor’s selection, citing his two criminal convictions – one of them tied to the deadly events of May 2010, in which he was caught transporting then fugitive Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke, a feared gangster whose hunt and cap- ture made global headlines. Miller’s response that he did not re- gret his role in the Coke saga, andwould do it again, in addition to subsequent comments raisingdoubts about the vac- cination of children against COVID-19, hardenedpublic sentiments against him. But he has now said he acknowl- edged the public’s disapproval in a letter he wrote to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) in which he“gra- ciously” indicated he would not accept the award “at this time”. “Some [people] still think there is a lot of uncertainty – the case in court and the concerns. This atmosphere is not good for the nature and the spirit of the award,” he said, noting that the issue was addressed before the September 3 meeting with Holness at Jamaica House. Miller, who was awarded the Order of Distinction (Commander Class), said he “appreciated” what the Government did. He’s appealing one of his convictions. “When we serve, we don’t serve for rewards; we serve and do the things we do in the best interest of people and the country and of God,” added the founding pastor of Fellowship Tabernacle, the mega church located in St Andrew. THE WEEKLY GLEANER | OCTOBER 11 - OCTOBER 17, 2021 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS 2 MAIN WEST INDIAN GROCERY STORE IN TAMPA, FLORIDA. [ EST. FOR OVER 25 YEARS ]. Prime investment opportunity in a growing, diverse market. Business includes shipping company & kitchen. Owners selling as is, due to retirement. Serious inquiries only! FOR SALE - WEST INDIAN GROCERY STORE, FLORIDA contact: CTGINC841@gmail.com , or c. 347 614 0852 [ NEWSYOU MAY HAVE MISSED ] Rev. Miller FILE 30,000 receive COVID vaccine grant payouts SOME 30,000 persons have received $10,000 each under the Conditional Cash Transfer for the Vaccinated Grant. This was disclosed by Information Minister Fayval Williams at a Post- Cabinet Press Briefing recently. In July, the Government decided to provide an incentive for persons 60 years and older who decided to get vaccinated. The grant is an incentive by the finance ministry for fully vaccinated per- sons 60 years and older, once the health ministry’s records confirm that the individual has received their jabs. Williams shared that, of the 41,000 applications received, 35,000 were validated. Funds were transferred to the remittance companies se- lected by 30,000 of the applicants and another 5,000 applications were being processed for payment. The remaining 6,000 applications were being checked. The programme, which began on July 15, was administered digitally using the COVID Allocation of Resources for Employees (CARE) Programme platform. Landlord-and-tenant relationship addressed in sexual harassment law LAWMAKERS IN the Upper House last Friday coalesced to pass the Sexual Harassment [Protection and Prevention] Act, 2021 with 23 amendments. In a gruelling six-hourlong debate, members on both sides of the political divide gave general support to the new law aimed at protecting individuals in the workplace or institutions from unwanted sexual advances. The far-reaching legislation also addresses the vexed issue of sexual har- assment in the context of the landlord-and-tenant relationship. Al Miller loses national award THE WE KLY GLEANER | OCTOBER 11 - N VEM 0