Toribiong in an interview however said he will be addressing Davidson’s appointment and the United Kingdom Investment Holdings Ltd. quest to invest in Palau as separate issues.
“Those are two separate and distinct matters,” Toribiong state.
Toribiong said his decision to ask Davidson’s to resign was based heavily on the Task Force’s recommendation.
He explained that there was “a delay” in his decision because he wanted to give Davidson an opportunity to air his side.
“I believe in the due process,” Toribiong said. The president said he did not disregard the opinion of members of Congress, traditional chiefs and the public in reaching a decision, he however did not say whether the calls bear weight.
Earlier members of the Senate Committee on Resources and Development urged the Foreign Investment Board to reject the UKIHL application for a foreign investment license due to allegations of fraud and scam.
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.”
The FIB said it will take at least 90 days to act on the application.
The president said he will not interfere in the process and will reserve his opinion on the matter in the end.
“I will not interfere in the process but if it is good, I can make recommendations,” Toribiong said.
He added that he will support foreign investment and believes that the Peleliu people are supporting the Nautilus Project that UIKHL is supposed to build.
Davidson has yet to respond to Toribiong’s letter asking him to resign.
He said Davidson has been instrumental in forging a bilateral relationship with the Malaysian government.
