The two proposed measures are: LB No. 9-20 to require non-commercial fishing licenses for all Palauans who are not citizens of the State of Koror and LB No. 9-23 to require separate permits to all visitors and Palauan citizens in visiting Rock Islands and Jellyfish Lake.
Isack, chairman of the Committee on Judiciary and Government Affairs (JGA) said the two measures are in accordance with the State Constitution and not with the traditional aspect.
“Based on the Constitutional Law, all the lands above the watermarks are under the jurisdiction of the Government or the State through the KSPLA (Koror State Public Land Authority).” Isack said in an interview.
He said that “like in Ngardmau State they have their waterfalls and everybody has access to it but to do so they have to pay for a certain fee for the management and maintenance of their resources. So, it is also the same way in Koror State we impose a fee to maintain the Rock Islands. Any Palauan citizen is welcome to enter in Koror but they have to pay.”
The legislator made this statement following the transmittal letter of the House of Traditional Leaders (HOTL) addressed to him and legislator Mengkur REchelulk, who both led the public hearing that they were against the proposed bills.
According to the HOTL letter on the bill that requires fishing license, they say that it is collides directly with a being true resident of Koror.
They also said that the government has no jurisdiction on the administration of the rock islands of Koror because these belong to all the people of Koror and has always entrusted under the case of the Traditional leaders of Koror.
Any policy concerning the Management and Conservation of the Rock Islands of Koror the proper authority to enact such policies in accordance with the traditional role resides with the traditional leaders.
The HOTL also claimed on their letter, that they were not informed earlier on the public hearing schedule and they were not furnished a copy on the third bill which is the lease rate adjustments. They were therefore concluded that this was the intent of the legislature to exclude them from commenting on the third bill.
Isack, however, said whatever the HOTL comments on the measure, was their motion. He also made clarification that the third bill has a separate public hearing and this was the reason for not including it on the two bills’ public hearing.
On June 30, was the set schedule for the HOTL to attend the public hearing but they failed to participate.
The legislator noted that in aid of fair and due process the KSL is eyeing to conduct another public hearing to give ample time and opportunity for those who failed to attend the four-day public hearing.
“We want everybody to duly inform about these measures because every State and single family is affected.” Isack said.
Yesterday, July 5, was the last day of public hearing on the two measures held at the Koror State Assembly.
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