SOS: What happened to the Dellis Cay Development in Turks and Caicos?  
 
Turks and Caicos Islands, the world, as well as several celebrities (including Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones who have purchased an original Shigeru Ban villa) have been waiting and anticipating the opening of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Dellis Cay for over a year.  In addition to the one-of-a-kind architectural residential designs developed throughout the 560-acre private island, Dellis Cay was to be the "crowning" glory of Turks and Caicos Islands.
 
Touted as the new hideaway for Hollywood royalty, and designed by some of the world's most famous and influential architects, Vanity Fair, in an article entitled, "My own Private Island" wrote:
 
"One of the latest [celebrity destinations ] is Dellis Cay, a small island in Turks and Caicos that aims to unite the worlds of celebrity, fashion, art, and architecture. ... Dr. Cem Kinay, [is] the master strategist and owner of the 560-acre island. Kinay, with the help of an expert design panel, selected some of the world’s most renowned architects to conceptualize and build luxury properties that would help civilize the flat island."
 
However, on October 12, 2009, Dr. Cem Kinay who is originally from Turkey, announced the stall of his Dellis Cay development.  Kinay is best known for revolutionising the holiday experience with the all-inclusive Club Med Resorts.  Kinay and his Mandarin Oriental partner, Oguz Serim, announced, in their press release, that the Dellis Cay project has been stalled by what they call, "negative press and anonymous emails and letters from a group of political activists in Turks and Caicos Islands."
 
Undoubtedly, the pair are speaking of a local attack blog site called TCI Journal which has been writing against certain new developments in Turks and Caicos for the last year.  This is a matter that many new developments have had to manage.  TCI Journal is said to be solely run by Shaun Malcolm and Richard Berke by the backing of  what some call "mysterious sources." Malcolm is a local in the Islands.  Evidence supports Malcolm's complaints of Crown land usage for himself as well as on behalf of several islanders of whom Malcolm keeps anonymous.
 
Michael Misick, Turks and Caicos' former Premier, has been accused by Malcolm of denying Crown land to Islanders in favour of developers to "line his own pockets". 
 
TCI Watch has contacted Kinay's office in Miami for comment.  Though Dr. Kinay's formal statement referred us to his earlier press release to the Turks and Caicos Sun News, TCI Watch asked an office staff member what they thought of Dr. Kinay.  We told this staff member that his/her name would not be revealed (both a man and woman answer the phone so we have revealed nothing) and here is what the staffer said:
 
Staff member: "Dr. Kinay is very down at the moment. He is usually a soft spoken man but even more so these days. His usual smile is a bit weaker."
 
TCI Watch asked what it is like working for Kinay, the staffer commented, "He's kind.  He likes to ask everyone for input before making decisions."
 
TCI Watch: "Is Mandarin Oriental going to fold?" 
 
Staff member:  "Dr. Kinay and Mr. Serim have told us that they are behind this development whatever happens."
 
TCI Watch: "When you say 'down' what do you mean?  Is Dr. Kinay throwing his hands up and giving up?"
 
Staff member: "I doubt it. This is his life.  He just is ... feeling bad for the staff and workers who have been put out on the street."
 
TCI Watch: "How many lay offs would you say have taken place since the announcement of the stalled development and construction."
 
Staff member: "I don't know. There were so many people working there from experts cultivating native plants to labourers to management.  I really don't know. "
 
The brief exchange with the office staffer confirmed the stall and lay offs on Dellis Cay island.
 
TCI Watch did receive a letter from an out-of-work employee formally of one of the developments that have "crumbled" by what she describes is the work of TCI Journal's attack blogging.  We will call her Ms. S.  Ms. S said, "I used to work for one of the developments that have gone under because of TCI Journal.  I am looking for work."
 
TCI Journal has claimed responsibility for leaking an unredacted and legally protected document to the whitle blower website Wikileaks, naming Cem Kinay as one of the resort developers who purchased Crown land under the Michael Misick administration.  Though several developers had purchased Crown land during this time, they affirm their roll as witnesses to a corruption investigation of the former Premier and several of his ministers.  No charges or investigations have been made toward the developers named in the Misick corruption enquiry.
 
On August 14, 2009, the UK took possession of the island territory admist the corruption allegations. TCI Journal and its principals were responsible for the several anonymous letters sent to the UK with their allegations of corruption by Michael Misick's former administration prompting the UK enquiry.