Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared that he has full confidence in his Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang.

Chang has come under pressure as Jamaicans bemoan the country’s crime wave, especially murders.

More than 60 homicides have been recorded in Jamaica since the start of the year.

Holness this morning defended the work of his national security minister.

Addressing a press conference this morning, he said that no partisan or political considerations influenced his decision to have Chang remain in the post amid a Cabinet reshuffle last week.

Chang is the general secretary of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party.

“I asked Dr Chang to take over the portfolio of national security before the last election. It is the most difficult portfolio in the country. It requires a long-term commitment to the plans that we have in place…[and] we are not going to change the current situation through the flip of a switch,” he said in reference to the leadership of the national security ministry.

“The problems are deep-rooted and they require significant structural, institutional, cultural and resource reform. These take time particularly the legislative, particularly the policy and the structure,” he continued.

He said that he believes in Chang’s competence and sees no need to remove him.

Chang has my full confidence, says Holness | News  Jamaica Gleaner