Overview:
“Palau’s development story often sounds impressive — foreign investment, luxury hotels, and new airports — but who is it really for? In this hard-hitting commentary, Dudalm Kelulau challenges President Whipps to put people, not profit, at the heart of Palau’s economic future.”
Dear Editor,
President Whipps recent interview about U.S. investment in Palau highlights a troubling pattern: our leaders speak about development in terms that please foreign partners but forget to center the people of Palau. The conversation was filled with talk of veterans, hotels, airports, and cruise ships, but not once did it address how ordinary Palauans will benefit in their daily lives.
The reality is clear. Our youth join the U.S. military not because of patriotic slogans, but because Palau has failed to provide opportunities at home. They seek better wages, healthcare, and futures abroad because our government has built opportunities for corporations, not for citizens. So, when Surangel talks about a Marriott or Hilton, the question is obvious: who will work there? Will Palauans be trained, paid fairly, and given priority, or will we once again be left with crumbs from the corporate table?
It is hypocritical for Surangel to criticize China for “reaping all the profits” while his own company seeks the highest payments from military contracts. He says, “Palauans First,” but his actions suggest “Palauan Business First.” The people are left behind, struggling with rising costs of food, electricity, and basic goods, while new taxes bring no new services. What new service has been created for the people? Refunds, contracts, and slogans, but no relief.
Surangel’s belief that people should simply “learn to budget” is as hollow as his “just say no to drugs” program. These are not solutions. They are cover-ups, like brand new clothes hiding old underwear. They make things look good on the outside, but the reality is worse than six years ago. At least past governments tried to help people directly; today we are preached to, not supported.
Economic development must mean lowering the cost of living, raising wages, and creating opportunities for Palauans to thrive at home. It must mean investment in people, not just in corporations and foreign partnerships. Otherwise, we remain dependent, vulnerable, and frustrated.
Don’t say economic development will help people. Programs that train and raise the scale of the economy do. There is another economic system other than your capitalist-for-the-rich system. It is called “everything for everyone and nothing for ourselves.” That is how you build strong individuals to build a strong country that can thrive in this globalized system. That is why we voted for you, so you could create these systems, not make your business more profitable.
Everything to Everyone and Nothing for Ourselves
Your Humble Servant
Dudalm Kelulau
The Silent Majority
by Dudalm Kelulau
alkahalic6801@gmail.com