Signing the letter to FIB are Sens. Adalbert Eledui, Kathy Kesolei, Tommy Remengesau, Hokkons Baules, Alfonso Diaz and Regis Akitaya.
The senators supported the traditional chiefs call to President Johnson Toribiong to reject the developer for using Palau “as a staging ground for false internet and advertisement and other scandalous reports and allegations of fraud from people and companied who had business relations with Mr. Morris Davidson and his company UKIHL in the past.”
Toribiong in a separate interview meanwhile said Davidson is seeking an audience with members of Congress and traditional chiefs to explain his side.
He said he is giving Davidson this chance before he makes a decision on whether to remove him from his post as recommended by the Task Force he created to look into the matter.
However, Sen. Remengesau questioned Toribiong’s apparent reluctance to remove Davidson.
“How can this one man can have so much influence,” the senator stated.
He said that the traditional chiefs and members of Congress have already expressed their opposition on the matter that the firm” has the potential to destroy’s Palau’s credibility and reputation.”
The former president said he shares the “mood and feeling” of the Palauan people “being at awe as to how this individual with questionable business practices can get the trust and backing of the administration.”
Toribiong said he still needs to consult with the Malaysian government on the task force’s recommendation to remove Davidson.
He said Davidson has been instrumental in forging a bilateral relationship with the Malaysian government.
The president said however since Davidson is under administrative leave he is prohibited in using his position to promote the firm.
He also stated that he is considering heavily the recommendation of the Task Force.
Remengesau said he did not support the developer during his administration because the internet advertisement already claimed that it has the blessing of the government when it has not even obtained the proper permits.
He said the firm’s internet advertisement is a “false representation.”
The committee said the firm’s application is too “broad and disturbing” and unless that it can be cleared of any wrongdoing then the application should be disapproved.
On Tuesday, Toribiong met with the traditional chiefs only to agree on meeting once a month to discuss certain issues of the country.
In that meeting, Toribiong and the chiefs did not touch on the firm.
The traditional chiefs earlier expressed “deep and utmost concern about the grave allegations made by certain individuals on the controversial firm.
The traditional chiefs made recommendations that the president discharge Morris Davidson as Palau’s honorary Consul to Malaysia; stop the false advertisement in the internet that makes it appear that the country is supporting the company; to prohibit Ngiraingas, Minister of Public Infrastructure, Industries and Commerce from using his post to support Davidson and his firm; and direct the Office of the Attorney General to initiate a probe on Minister Jackson Ngiraingas’ possible violation of the Code of Ethics.
UK Holdings is the company involved in the planned ambitious Nautilus Project in Peleliu State and Solaris City in Angaur.
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