Surangel Whipps Jr.
KOROR (Island Times/Pacnews) — After failing to secure Senate confirmation, former Finance Minister Kaleb Udui. Jr. and former Education Minister Dr. Dale Jenkins have been appointed by President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. as special assistants to the president.
Though lacking official ministerial titles, they now serve as de facto heads of their respective ministries, advising on critical policy matters without direct authority over ministry personnel.
In a March 26 memorandum addressed to Ministry of Finance employees, Whipps outlined Udui’s new role: “I am pleased to announce that Kaleb Udui Jr. has been designated to serve in the Office of the President as Special Assistant to the President for affairs related to the Ministry of Finance. In this capacity, Udui will provide direct support and strategic guidance to me on matters related to financial policies and projects, national budget, and economic development.”
A separate memorandum to Ministry of Education employees announced Jenkins’ appointment under similar terms: “I am pleased to announce that Dr. Dale Jenkins has been designated to serve in the Office of the President as Special Assistant to the President for affairs related to the Ministry of Education. In this capacity, Dr Jenkins will provide direct support and strategic guidance to me on matters related to educational initiatives, projects, and national educational policies.”
Both memos emphasized that the positions are advisory and do not override the statutory authority of ministry officials. In the absence of confirmed ministers, directors and senior staff within both ministries will report directly to the president on policy, planning, and execution.
The appointments come after a contentious Senate confirmation process in which both nominees were rejected.
Udui never received a confirmation hearing, while Jenkins failed to secure the necessary votes. Their appointments as special assistants bypass the confirmation process but allow them to continue influencing government policy.
Despite their lack of formal authority, Whipps encouraged ministry employees to seek their guidance.
“The Special Assistant is authorized to provide advice and assistance to ministry personnel at all levels,” the president wrote.
“While [Udui/Jenkins] does not hold line authority over ministry staff, employees are encouraged to seek and consider the Special Assistant’s guidance where it may assist in advancing the ministry’s work and ensuring alignment with executive priorities.”
Meanwhile, the Ministries of Finance, Education, and Justice remain without confirmed ministers, raising concerns over the administration’s ability to implement policy effectively.
Former Health Minister Gaafar Uherbelau was appointed special advisor to the president. President Whipps did not reappoint him to the Ministry of Health & Human Services but was directly appointed as special advisor.
