A Le Ko Kau Forum

Tia Belau Editorial, May 10, 2012 —-

When you travel on the main road of Koror State either from Malakal or Meyuns to Top Side you see so many mom and pop stores on both side of the main road, managed or operated by group of Bangladesh nationals and when you step in you see a business license on the wall in the name of the local person. So often we hear members of public safety, policemen, members of the OEK and other key leaders and officials referring to Palau local licensee as “front” of the Bangladesh. But in reality, such business enterprises violates Foreign Investment Act, 28 PNC § 101, et seq., and should be stopped.

Tia Belau Editorial, May 7, 2012 —-

The Palau Visitors Authority (PVA) has released the flight schedule for the month of May. Based on the schedule, there are a total of 28 flights per week for this month, served by 8 airlines including United Airlines, Asiana, China Airlines, Delta, Japan Airlines, TransAsia Airways, Korean Airline, Palau Airways.

Tia Belau Editorial, April 11, 2012 —-

Here’s a different way to look at the budget. RPPL No. 8-40, which is the budget law for fiscal year 2012 signed by the president last March 25 appropriates the sum of $59,394,000 for governmental operations and other obligations.

Tia Belau Editorial, April 9, 2012 —-

While focus has been on the presidential election and speculating the names of candidates who will contest the 29 OEK seats – 13 for Senate and 16 for House of Delegates, less attention have been paid to the incumbents. 

Tia Belau Editorial, April 2, 2012 —-

The national government now operates by fiscal year 2012 budget – public law RPPL No. 8-40. The budget law was passed but not before the public saw the rancor that was in display between the two houses of the Olbiil Era Kelulau.  The fiscal year 2012 budget bill joined the casino bill earlier as the only two legislations that passed the OEK with considerable support of abstention votes.

Tia Belau Editorial, March 29, 2012 —-

Even with the constant public criticism of their record as the least productive and the most expensive Olbiil Era Kelulau in terms of bills passed into laws, a good public relations campaign would have worked wonders for the image of the 8th Olbiil Era Kelulau as the election draws near.

Tia Belau Editorial, March 19, 2012 —-

Tadao Ruluked, a legislator from Kayangel State, hauled his chair and cardboard sign one Wednesday afternoon last February and set up position on top of the island, which is sandwiched between two major gas stations in town – Did-Ra-Ngmatl and NECO Plaza. He sat quietly holding up placards with one resting on the concrete leaning on his knees facing the road, while his hands were raised up holding another sign covering the top of his head doubling as a sun visor.

Tia Belau Editorial, March 5, 2012

We have existed as a sovereign Republic of Palau since 1981 based on the democratic principles and rule of laws enshrine in our Constitution we overwhelmingly ratified in the referendum on July 1979, re-ratified in the referendum on July 1980, a year later, and implemented in 1981. Our commitment to the democratic principles and rule of laws had put into the test since 1981.

Tia Belau Editorial, March 5, 2012 —

Palau’s economy has been heating up the past two years, including a 6 percent growth in 2011 as a result of a record breaking tourist year. But whatever gain made has been wiped-out by the drastic hike in the price of fuel, electricity, food and most basic stuffs.

Tia Belau Editorial, February 27, 2012

It was dead on arrival. True to their words, the Senate killed the House version of the fiscal year 2012 budget bill. The latest rejection is strike three. The president, House and Senate all went to bat and struck out.

Tia Belau Editorial, February 20 —-

It is no surprised to see citizens holding up placards at last Friday’s end of working day rush hour. This will be a common occurrence if nothing is done to address the heavy burden the increasing cost of fuel have on the low wage earners.

We pay attention to the price of gasoline, and we can see that it has increased three times this early into the year. Gasoline prices started the year at $5 per gallon and went up to $5.10 in January 15 and again to a new record of $5.20 on February 5. It was only eleven days after setting a new record on February 16 that a sharp increase of 15 cents pushed it to $5.35, and a new record high at its present level.

Tia Belau Editorial, February 13 —-

At what point does the Senate of the Olbiil Era Kelulau is held accountable for its decisions regarding presidential appointments to government boards?

The Senate recently rejected two more nominees to the board of PPUC. These latest rejections by the current Senate bring to six in total of presidential appointments to PPUC board that failed to muster the required two-thirds approval.

Tia Belau Editorial, February 6 —-

Where does the leadership stand on the minimum wage legislation? The different actions taken on two bills help explain their position.

Two separate bills were introduced on January 27, 2009 – the twelfth-day of the first regular session of the newly installed 8th Olbiil Era Kelulau. It was also the first calendared day of business for both houses of OEK since their inauguration twelve days earlier.

Tia Belau Editorial, January 30, 2011 —-

January is coming to an end with voters still waiting to see who the candidates are. So far one person has publicly declared. Mr. Frank Kyota has declared his candidacy to represent Airai in the House of Delegates.

No candidates for the office of the president, vice president, and the senate have officially announced. These offices are elected nationwide so public announcement would be necessary to reach the wider corners of the island. Formal declaration traditionally, has never been considered strategic for a run at a congressional seat, but it is essential for presidential election to gain traction. 

Tia Belau editorial – January 23, 2011

The budget bill is dead. Its death was not even a surprise. Hearing from political observers, the public properly diagnosed the problem and correctly called the outcome.

There were clear warning signs early and throughout the negotiating process that led to the eventual failure of both Houses to come to a budget agreement.

Three areas of disagreement derailed the passage. These could be isolated into philosophical, procedural, and personal level arguments.

Tia Belau Editorial, January 9, 2011 —-

One of the most essential government functions is to monitor trends in political, social, and economic landscape of a nation.

The government via its vast network of activities gathers all sorts of data. This data are then analyzed to get a clear picture of where is the nation is heading.

Tia Belau Editorial, December 26, 2011 —-

The debate regarding the increase of the Jellyfish Lake fee have been mostly based on concerns of the intended potential benefits – the money to be raked in or its reverse side effects.

The jellyfish lake fee has jumped from $35 to increase to $100, an increase of $65 or 185%. Collection of the jellyfish lake fee is to start in June 2012.

Tia Belau –  December 29 & January 2 editions —-

Year 2011 was a trying and yet a triumphant year for the country. Power crisis, budget issues and corruption were among the top new stories of the year. An increase in the number of tourists and the country’s continued to gain a good standing in the international arena when it comes to environmental protection. As we leave 2011 and enter into 2012, hopes are alive that things that need improvement will change and the triumphs will be achieved.

Editorial on Tia Belau’s Special Christmas edition – December 22, 2011 —-

As the island is a buzzed with festive holiday season, there are so many things for which we must be thankful. Top of the list is our collective will to improve our health and strength and the ability to make sound decisions. We give thanks to the Almighty for the bountiful blessings.

Tia Belau Editorial, December 12, 2011 —- 

The basic foundation of every orderly society is a rule of law and its effective enforcement to maintain peace and orderly community. The effective enforcement of rule of law is the equal application and enforcement without any preference or discrimination.