by Kambes
When the Eight Republic of Palau Government officially took its mandate on January 15, 2009, the leadership began their term in an unenviable position of inheriting crisis after crisis from which they were slow to respond or not prepared for. Read the rest of this entry »
By Santy
I am writing to express my worries on excessive travel spending especially by OEK members. As a member of the 7th Senate, I took upon myself not to spend one penny on traveling during my entire term. Though some of these trips are important for building relations with other nations, I did not see that anyone of these trips was required for me to carry out my function as a senator. Today I still strongly hold to this belief so much so during this time of global economic crisis. That is why I am coming out as a private citizen to speak out against waste of public money. Besides traveling to other countries falls under the responsibility of the executive branch; therefore, foreign matters are best left to the Office of the President and Ministry of State or the affected ministry to handle. Read the rest of this entry »
By Kambes
Members of the 8th Olbiil Era Kelulau have finished passing themselves a $50,000 a year salary. An amount that puts them in the top rang of salary scale than every government employees except for the court justices and judges, doctors, and even places them equally with the President of Palau. Read the rest of this entry »
Why are we concerned with the decision to relocate the Uighurs from Quantanamo Prison to the Republic of Palau? The reasons some of us in Palau are reluctant to accept the Uighurs are as follows: Read the rest of this entry »
By Santy
Alii Professor Richard,
With your non-conformist outlook towards major players in the international arena, especially US, I am surprised and then again I should not knowing your perseverance for attaining such a monumental achievement-Professor. Sign me up. Congratulations are in order. Easy on them college especially on their infractions in Pacific studies and issues. At least I know that no thesis paper is going to misconstrue Pacific cultures and get passing grades from you for it for being too exotic to be verified. Read the rest of this entry »
by Kambes
Are there any answers to Palau’s economic crisis?
President Johnson Toribiong in his communication with Speaker Noah Idechong on January 26 spells out the problem clearly, “I point out the obvious when I state that the economy that my administration and the Eighth Olbiil Era Kelulau have inherited is suffering mightily. Tourism is down by over ten percent. From all anecdotal accounts, sales are down at businesses throughout Palau. Businesses have closed and it is likely that more will be forced to do so in the future. Apartments and commercial buildings sit vacant with no prospects of occupancy in the near term. Jobs have been lost with little hope that new ones will be created to replace them.” Read the rest of this entry »
Santy
Alii Brien and mardi,
In light of the global economic down turn and hardship it poses on Palauans in paying their loan, the 7th Senate introduced a bill to reduce NDBP rate to something like 2 to 3% on top of the rate where the money came from. So if the money was from OEK then interest rate should not be more than 3% because NDBP is not paying back that money. EU gave money to NDBP I believe at 3% so that money should be loaned out at no more than 6%. However the House put about seven riders that were highly controversial including raise to president and ministers’ salaries in that bill. Even though it was a senate bill, it was rejected unanimously when it came back to the senate floor for approval because of the House riders. Read the rest of this entry »
by Santy
Alii RB,
Your question is noteworthy. Governmental problems need to be looked at on the broader picture and historical landscape so that one has the full view why things are the way they are today. Isolating an issue and discussing it without reference to the past can lead us to useless discussion. The package does have some affect on the content’s quality so to speak. I swear that rice cooked over wood fire or wrapped with “mengchongch” definitely tastes better than the ones cooked in rice cookers or wrapped in aluminum foil. Of course, non-Palauans would find these thinking hard to believe. And mind you, my son thought this was absurd but now he is sold on this Palauan tested package. He is a Palauan after all. Read the rest of this entry »
by Kambes
As the 8th Olbiil Era Kelulau is preparing to open its fist regular session on Tuesday January 27, the members of the Senate and the House of Delegates will be faced with daunting challenges that lay ahead, including a weakened local economy as a result of the worsening global economic crisis, the uncertain future of the Compact funded programs and assistance, the declining tax receipts into the government coffers, and many more that should keep them busy and test their spirits.
After a long hiatus A Le Ko Kau Forum is back. And this time with a renewed vigor and dedication to provide a place where information, news and commentaries are brought forth and discussed freely with the aim of bringing all sides of the issues to light.
A Le Ko Kau Forum welcomes contribution from readers, either in the form of news, tips, essays, opinions/commentaries. Send contribution to alekokau (at) gmail.com.
Kambes
|
Recent Comments