The
July 17-30, 2024
1
Kaselehlie Press
The
July 17, 2024
Free bi-weekly publication
KASELEHLIE PRESS PO Box 2222 Kolonia, Pohnpei, FM 96941
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Vol. 24 Issue No. 16
(691) 320-6547
FSM hosts Inaugural Energy Forum to chart a sustainable and affordable energy future By Bill Jaynes The Kaselehlie Press July 12, 2024 Palikir, Pohnpei—On July 9-10, 2024, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) convened its first-ever Energy Forum in Palikir, Pohnpei. The event, themed "Energizing FSM - Affordability and Beyond," gathered a diverse group of stakeholders from government, state utility companies, development partners, and civil society to develop a comprehensive plan for improving energy affordability and access across echoed these sentiments, calling for the nation. unity and collaboration to reduce Governor Stevenson A. Joseph of electricity tariffs and ensure access Pohnpei welcomed the attendees, to affordable energy for all FSM expressing appreciation to Vice citizens. President Aren B. Palik for leading the forum. He highlighted the critical The forum aimed to validate the need to address the high costs of fuel 2024-2050 National Energy Policy, and identify affordable, sustainable Click here for continuation on page 4 energy sources. Vice President Palik
Yap voters' decision internationally misreported: Political Status Commission measure did not pass By Bill Jaynes The Kaselehlie Press July 15, 2024 Yap—The Kaselehlie Press was not alone when we incorrectly reported that Yap voters had voted to establish a commission to reconsider Yap’s political status. International news entities like the Los Angeles Times, and even the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) also reported that incorrect information. No government entity including Yap State Election Commission or Yap’s
IS listed there is the rules established form amending the Constitution. For an amendment to be successfully added to the Yap State Constitution, Article X, Section 4 says, “A proposed amendment shall become part of this Constitution when approved by a majority of votes cast.” However, that is not what decided by Yap voters considering the matter of whether Yap should establish Matters are more complicate for Yap a commission to consider its political outsiders. The “go to” page on the status Internet for FSM State Constitutions is FSMLaw.org. The Constitution listed What is missing from the FSMLaw. for Yap has not been updated in a very org page is the one section that matters long time and is not complete. What to the question regarding what voting public information arm has officially said that the measure did not pass The Election Commission merely certified the number of votes but never answered the question of whether or not the measure had passed. Neither did Yap’s Department of Youth and Civil Affairs in its earlier press release on unofficial results.
standard is required for passage of the question on the establishment of a Political Status Commission. In 2010, Yap voters passed, by a simple majority as required, an amendment to the Constitution under the General Provisions title, Article XIV. That amendment was added as Section 11 of Article XIV and should read, “The Legislature, by two – thirds vote, shall present to the people on a ballot during an election the question: ‘Shall the State of Yap commence a review of its political status?’ If a two-third Click here for continuation on page 5