TACMOR controversy and Low Voter Turnout Loom
By: Eustoria Marie Borja
Republic of Palau – Unofficial results from Angaur State’s 3rd. Gubernatorial Primary Election show Natus Misech and Steven R. Salii leading. Misech secured 47 votes, followed closely by Salii with 44 votes. Warren Fukuichi, the third candidate, garnered 37 votes. Despite Angaur having 455 registered voters, only 134 participated, representing a voter turnout of just 29.5%. Seven (7) absentee ballots were issued, with one walk-in (absentee vote). The Palau Election Commission is still awaiting the return of the remaining absentee ballots, which is due by next week Tuesday September 17, 2024 for final tabulation.
The low turnout aligns with concerns raised prior to the election about the state’s shrinking population due to out-migration, with many residents leaving for economic opportunities or education. This declining electorate has impacted civic participation.
Adding complexity to the election are the environmental controversies surrounding the U.S.-backed Tactical Mobile Over-the-Horizon Radar (TACMOR) project, which has polarized the island. The radar facility, designed to enhance early-warning capabilities in the western Pacific, is slated for completion in 2026. The project has been the subject of intense debate due to its potential environmental impact.
Gov. Steven Salii, filed a lawsuit in 2023 to halt the construction of the radar, citing concerns over grave environmental damage. He emphasized that he was inquiring about the project for six months but was unsuccessful in getting any information. The lawsuit alleged violations of the Compact of Free Association between Palau and the U.S., accusing the project of proceeding without proper environmental assessments or permits, and raising fears of hazardous materials contaminating local ecosystems.
However, the Palau Supreme Court dismissed the lawsuit in January 2024, citing a lack of specificity and evidence. Despite this, Gov. Salii remains firm in his belief that the project poses serious threats to the environment and the island’s way of life. In a previous interview with Island Times, he stated that he will “explore legal options to protect our island.”
For some environmentalists and residents, the development raises fears of ecocide, a term used to describe large-scale environmental destruction. They believe unchecked projects within the state could have irreversible effects on Angaur’s ecosystem.
The environmental fallout from the radar project remains a divisive issue among Anguar’s citizens. While some, like former Angaur governor Marvin Ngirutang, express concerns about ecological harm, others like Former Speaker Adelbai Jackson Henry emphasized that stopping the project could negatively impact the state’s economy. He emphasized that the project has brought economic benefits, such as jobs, housing rentals, and increased business for local stores. In addition to those economic benefits, it was later revealed that Angaur State stands to receive a $1 million fee from the U.S. government as part of the TACMOR agreement.
The unofficial primary results signal that the future leadership of Angaur will play a pivotal role in deciding how to balance economic development with environmental preservation. With the general election scheduled for November 5, 2024, the people of Angaur will soon determine which direction their state will take, as both environmental concerns and economic opportunities hang in the balance.