Opinion

Yes, Senator Halbert, there is public trust in Congress
(Editor’s Note:  Zag Puas, a native of the Mortlocks in Chuuk is currently a teacher of political science and a lawyer.  He is currently a PhD candidate at the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia.)

I was fortunate enough to observe Congress during its third regular session in 2010, and what transpired from this experience was an eye opener for me. I discovered that there is a gulf between image and reality with respect to the question of public trust in the Congress.  For that reason, I wish to demystify certain distorted images perpetrated against Congress by the spin doctors of public opinion.   

Political conspirators go an extra mile to portray the Congress as nothing more than a political forum where the fourteen elected elites descend on Palikir every year to have corroborees at the expense of the public.  The conspirators’ rather unfortunate exercise is an attempt to shift public opinion to be more suspicious about Congress. In many instances they are successful in negating the image of Congress in the public sphere.  Personal bias and vendettas are the main ingredients of this kind of public exercise based on pseudo intellectualism if not insanity. It misrepresents reality in its entirety.  It is therefore a truism that professional conspirators of public opinion do so for their own personal gains and in absolute defiance of the publics’ knowledge of the Congress. 

For example, the fact that the compact funds have been reduced and no longer fill the pockets of the public should not be a premise to falsely accuse the incumbent Senators of withholding funds for their own personal use. It must be remembered that this a lean time for the nation and Congress must take stringent measures to ensure funds are implemented in adherence with the law.
 
One has to be exposed to the inner sanctum of Congress to comprehend the extent to which political conspirators will go to hatch their conspiracy theories for the purpose of luring the public to jump on their bandwagon. Should the current Senators have to bend to these political conspirators who are influenced by opposing political factions who are motivated to push their own political agendas? I would rather think not.

The Congress is duly charged with specific constitutional duties and responsibilities such as to protect the rights and the social welfare of the citizens based on accepted international standards. That means, the Congress must at all times legislate on matters that promote and protect the well being of the public.  It is do exactly that.  Like any organization, there is an established procedural process in Congress wherein legislation is always scrutinized intensively before it is introduced on the floor.  The process includes public hearings in all the States and ongoing discussions amongst the originators of the Bills, the legal staff and the administrators.  Further research is always the norm to ensure the Bills pass both the domestic and international benchmarks. If they do not meet such benchmarks, the Bills must be sent back through the process for further analysis. Most Bills stay in the process for as long as they take instead of rushing them through for passage.
   
When the Bills are introduced on the floor, further scrutiny ensues to make them water tight to benefit the intended stakeholders and the public in general. 

The floor is where the Senators show their political intellect and wisdom.  It is a time for a political show down where the floor is littered with all sorts of commentaries with heated debates on the proposed Bills. The Congress springs into action and the Speaker is in full ready mode to invoke the standing rules if one steps outside the ring.
  
 The outspoken members of Congress like Urusemal, Christian, Sitan, Halbert and Welly, for example, could hold up a Bill for many days (a Micronesian brand of a filibuster) to ensure that the intent, scope, purpose, and textual languages within are in line with the aim and objectives of the Nation. These Senators have the gift of detecting loopholes in any proposed Bill even before it hits the floor. They often demand more amendments, or in the alternative send the Bill back to the relevant Committee for a further hearing.

Senator Christian is a skillful, fearless political fighter, and an experienced orator full of wisdom.  He can change the mood on the floor and set a new direction for debate at his own choosing like a master chanter from our ancestral past. He will fight to the death with his bare hands defending the FSM internationally.

Senator Urusemal is a fine statesman and a perfectionist. He likes to test the Bills by sinking them before they can float. His demeanour and performance is lawyerly like when addressing the forum.  I studied him sometimes and thought that maybe he should become a courtroom brawler when he retires.

Senator Halbert enjoys political surgical precision to bleed his colleagues on the floor profusely and simultaneously move to rehabilitate those who refuse to sit at the table. He reasons with facts and great care.  He deliberates with absolute intention on the issues and hangs them dry with devastating effects, like a super typhoon in its wake. 

Senator Sitan is a witty black letter shooter and is intolerant of inaction as in the saying; “time and tide wait for no man”.  He pushes the issues to their breaking point where he then suffocates his colleagues with head-aches leaving them calling for a breather, if not an emergency nurse.  He is like a marathon runner who does not rest until he reaches his destination.
Senator Welly is a cool calculated player and will bridge the gaps when required. He is a smooth operator and a reflector, a good talent to have in a legislator.

These are just few examples about the inner mechanics of Congress the public should be exposed to for the purposes of deconstructing the notion that legislation created by the national legislative forum is self serving and thus susceptible to corrupt practises.

The other Senators are also contributing effectively to the well being of the public in their own ways, and have spoken on many issues affecting the Nation. You can hear them on the floor and during the standing Committees’ public hearings.

Principally, it is no secret that transparency and accountability are inherently present in the Congress.  It is a part of its policy, designed towards engaging the public to participate in the daily activities of the national legislature. The conscientious Speaker, Senator Figir, is the vanguard of this policy and often reminded his subjects about such in the last session. He is certainly in command and dislikes idleness from his fellow Senators or public servants.

So reserve some time to observe your Senators in action and keep your eyes on the ball. You will be intrigued with the curve balls thrown on the floor. This is what Congress is all about, a dynamic forum full of gifted and talented individuals with an array of skills, knowledge, and passion. They are all united in one objective only, and that is to propel the Nation in the right direction for the public good. In my estimation the Senators’ performance should satisfy public expectation, as they are doing their very best.

In spite of the sweat and tears on the Congressional floor, there will always be bad elements at the highest level of politics.  Conspiracy theories abound at the present time and are crowding the FSM political landscape. The spin doctors are out to take advantage of this reality exploiting the public unfairly on the uneven playing field at any costs while the incumbents are busy with their schedules. This sort of tactic will increase in intensity prior to the next election without doubt. The public must perceive the conspirators under a dim limelight in that they purposefully set out to inflict damage on the image of the incumbents in the community in the belief that their actions will garnish more votes for obvious reason. 

It must be remembered that the doors of Congress are always open to the members of the public at any time.  It is therefore your civic duty to take an active role in engaging the Senators as they are there to serve you. You elected them to represent your views in the national legislature and by that they are doing their jobs as humanely as possible just like any other conscientious person in the public service. Ask questions and you will be surprised about your Senators’s knowledge of domestic and international concerns. They are not there to mislead you, but to disclose any issues you want to know. This is transparency and accountability at their best.

 If you are not satisfied with your own Senators’ performance then establish the facts first or else take your seat in the spin doctors’ club.  Moreover, there are legal remedies if you are still in doubt.  However, be careful when you publicize your own negative findings about your particular Congressman as the whole Congress is not responsible for an individual member’s action. I am of the view that the Congress will continue to discharge its constitutional responsibilities in observance of public confidence.  Let the record show that the incumbents are seriously fearful of citizens who are prepared to invoke the law should there be any departure from their constitutional duties.  And that is a fact.

By and large, my first- hand experience with Congress as well as my own personal contacts in the community has led me to categorically claim that the public is still in support of the Congress    despite the heavy bashing inflicted upon it by opportunistic political conspirators just recently. If politics is the art of the possibilities then Congress is practising such an art eloquently. In this dimension I can confidently say that “Yes, Senator Halbert there is still public trust in the Congress of Micronesia.”

 
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Tokyo University and COM-FSM sign a Declaration of Cooperation
Written by Bill Jaynes   
tokyo.jpgDekehtik, Pohnpei, FSM—On February 15, the crew of the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology research vessel the Umitaka Maru hosted a reception on board to celebrate an important agreement between the College of Micronesia FSM and Tokyo University.  Tokyo University student crew members served refreshments and sang for the gathered crowd of Government and College officials.

The agreement between the two schools is designed to deepen the friendship and for expanding mutual understanding between the institutions through academic and education cooperation.  The two schools have agreed to collaboration among faculty and staff members for research, symposia, and other academic pursuits as feasible and mutually agreed.  It allows for exchange visits by students as mutually agreed and jointly arranged, joint research projects, and exchanged of information materials on education, training and research matters.

College President Spensin James said that this is not the first arrangement of its type with Universities in Japan.  The College has similar agreements with other universities there as well.

front_article.jpgWhen the vessel left the Port of Pohnpei, Clayton Maluwelgiye, an official in charge of aquaculture at the College of Micronesia was on board.  He traveled to Japan where he received training on fisheries issues.  His training was facilitated by the Overseas Fishery Cooperation Foundation through their invitation program.

While in Japan Maluwelgiye visited with representative of the Japanese fishing industries leaders and fishing facilities.  In addition to meeting with Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology he also visited the Overseas Purse-Seine Fishing Association as well as the Hokkaido Regional Fisheries Institute and Hokkaido University where he conducted research on fisheries resource management.
 
Chuuk students marginalized by Chuuk Department of Education
Written by Bill Jaynes   

Auditors say that many schools have no textbooks or planned curriculum

Chuuk, FSM—Over 12,000 students were registered to be educated by Chuuk’s Department of Education during the 2008-2009 school year, over half again as many as Kosrae’s entire population.  According to a recently released Office of the National Public Auditor (OPA) report, a good many of Chuuk’s students are learning as best they can with no text books whatsoever.  Though textbooks have been ordered and are on hand in the Chuuk Department of Education (DOE) warehouse either those text books are not getting to the schools in a timely manner or once they do get there they are stored.  Sometimes teachers are not aware that text books are available for their use but sometimes teachers choose not to use textbooks because they don’t understand how to teach from them.

OPA released their audit report on Chuuk DOE textbooks and instructional materials on February 9, 2010.  The report covered fiscal years 2006 through 2008.

Many of Chuuk’s students are suffering academically.  The audit team noted that only 10 of 312 (3%) of students from the Chuuk public high schools passed the Spring 2008 College of Micronesia Entrance Test (COMET).
Read more...
 
FSM Fisheries Observer Training
Written by National Oceanic Resource Management Authority   

By National Oceanic Resource Management Authority

February 18, 2010-


fisheries.jpgIn support of its mandates to continue to be an effective guardian of living and non-living marine resources in the FSM EEZ, FSM resounded its partnership with the Parties to the Nauru Agreement in their collaborative effort to protect and promote fisheries of common interest in their respective exclusive economic zones (EEZ) by signing onto and adopting the Third Arrangement to implement the Nauru Agreement in May 2008.  The Third Implementing Arrangement (3IA), which has also been adopted as part of the Tuna Commission conservation and management measure 2008-01, has four major elements concerning the purse seine fishing in the PNA region.  The elements include closure on FAD fishing during July – September, full retention of tuna catch, high seas pockets closure as condition of license to fish in any of the respective PNA EEZs and full observer coverage on the purse seine fishing in the PNA region. The 3IA entered into force on January 01, 2010.

To fully implement the four elements of the 3IA requires the services of fisheries observers and FSM NORMA Fisheries Observer Program, like other members of PNA fisheries observer programs, finds itself in need of more fisheries observers to add to its current pool of observers.  FSM NORMA, with the technical and financial support and expertise from the SPC, FFA and WCPFC Fisheries Observer Programs and our good friends from NOAA, has just recently completed the 3rd Fisheries Observer Training, successfully adding 20 more observers, including the first two FSM female observers to the pool.

All trainings followed a certain selection procedure to find and select candidates for the training course.  The recent training started out with a total of 127 interested individuals who were tested, shortlisted and interviewed and 21 qualified, who were again assessed and further shortlisted to 16.  Two individuals from the previous training course were recruited to this group, in addition to two SPC funded newly hired NORMA Data Entry Staff, Ms. Yvonne Falaiepiy and Ms. Caroline L. Movick.   All twenty trainees were certified under the Regional Observer Program (ROP) Standards by SPC and FFA.

The training course lasted for four weeks, starting on January 25, 2010 and ended on February 18, 2010.  The training was conducted by Mr. Siosifa Fukofuka (SPC Trainer) as the lead trainer with the training assistance of Mr. Elton Cloudmar and Augustine Jeik (RMI Trainers) and FSM’s very own trainer, Mr. Steve Peter.  The FSM and RMI trainers have been undergoing training themselves to be trainers as well.  They are experienced observers being trained to be trainers themselves in order to conduct their own national observers’ trainings when needed.   Also contributed to the success of the training were NOAA’s Mr. John Kelly and Mr. Joe Arceneaux, FFA’s Tim Park and staff of Pohnpei Red Cross with technical, financial and expertise assistances. 

Upon completion of the training, NORMA Fisheries Observer Program operates with a pool of 52 observers, including the 14 cadets.  NORMA intends to recruit more observers to have at least 100 fisheries observers.  The plan therefore is to hold another training before the year ends. It is hoped that if funds are available trainees will be recruited from the other States.
 
Patrol Boats in fight against transnational crime
Written by The Micronesian Transnational Crime Unit   
Press Release of the Micronesian Transnational Crime Unit

crime.jpgIn a recent initiative the Micronesian Transnational Crime Unit (M-TCU) has partnered with the FSM National Police Maritime Wing in the fight against transnational crime within the region.  This new initiative involves the deployment of M-TCU members on operational patrols with the FSM Patrol Boats in an endeavor to support the collection of information relating to illegal fishing and associated transnational criminal activity.

The M-TCU Police Advisor, Steve Hamilton of the Australian Federal Police said, “This recent partnership with the FSM Patrol Boats has not only provided us with new opportunities to  assist the FSM National police in the detection of persons engaged in illegal fishing  but it has extended our capabilities in the  detection of other illegal activities including transnational crimes such as international narcotics trafficking and people smuggling.”   

The Micronesian Transnational Crime Unit, located in Pohnpei, is the central hub for the collection of intelligence and the development of investigations relating to transnational crime within the region.  It is staffed by members of the FSM National Police, FSM Customs and law enforcement officers from the Republic of Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. 

Federal Agent Steve Hamilton of the Australian Federal Police is seconded to the Unit to provide strategic and tactical advice on transnational crime issues.

It is the focus of the unit to collect and share information relating to transnational crime issues within the Pacific law enforcement arena with the view to protecting the Pacific communities from the threat of organized and transnational crime.   The MTCU receives on-going strong support from the Australian, U.S. and FSM governments.       

 
Kapinga Village Learns New and Healthy Local Food Recipes
Written by Mona Tara   
By Mona Tara
Island Food Community of Pohnpei

food.jpgOn February 1 – 5, 2010, over 60 men and women from Kapinga village took part in local food cooking classes, facilitated by the College of Micronesia (COM)-FSM Cooperative Extension Service and the Island Food Community of Pohnpei.  The training was led by Welsihter Hagilmai and Dora Semes of COM-FSM CES and Henrich Mateak and Richen Tonga of Kapinga village. 

The purpose of training was to help the community learn how to use underutilized local food such as green papaya, banana flower, hibiscus flower, lemon grass, spinach, chili pepper leaves, and other locally grown green vegetables. 

One participant in the cooking class said, “I did not even know that a healthy drink could be made from hibiscus flowers.” 

They also learned how to cook healthy food, like using less salt and sugar. 

On February 12, 2010, a graduation ceremony was held and certificates of completion were presented to all graduates.  After the ceremony, a feast was held for over 100 participants.  They enjoyed tasting the new recipes that the participants had made themselves such as:  banana flower patties, green papaya lumpia, sardines with chili leaves, breadfruit salad, banana flower salad, mackerel in banana flower and fish and soft taro wrapped in taro leaves.

Thanks are extended to the College of Micronesia-FSM Cooperative Extension Service for facilitating the workshop and the Global Environment Facility Small Grant program and US forestry for funding.
 
Welcome to Kaselehlie Press
Written by Bill Jaynes   

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   17 March 2010  - Dear Supporters and Subscribers, here is the latest issue.

 

 
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