The involvement of traditional leaders in state and government affairs has long been a delicate subject in many parts of the world. While traditional leaders often play crucial roles in their communities and societies, their participation in formal government structures can have many unintended consequences.
Government funding
Recently a bill was passed at the 10th Pohnpei Legislature to provide funding for the traditional leadership of Pohnpei. The bill No. 254-23 reads in part:
"There is hereby established a traditional affairs fund.... for the purpose of supporting the traditions and culture of this state, and for the support of traditional leaders in affairs of state and government."
The integration of traditional leaders into Pohnpei state government and affairs, while grounded in a deep respect for culture, heritage, and tradition carries inherent dangers. The Pohnpei and Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) constitution emphasizes the importance of tradition and customs. More importantly, both constitutions uphold the principles of democracy, the rule of law, and individual rights.
This fund, according to the bill, will be authorized to appropriate funds from the Pohnpei Treasury.
The inclusion of "traditional leaders in affairs of state and government" can potentially undermine and erode the tenets of our democratic government. Their positions of heredity and not from the ballot box can lead to an undemocratic power structure that is inconsistent with the principles of popular sovereignty and equal representation.
Micro(nesian) Perspective
I don't know about you, but I am grateful that in Pohnpei, we still have traditions and customs that we can still practice. It is not like this in other parts of Micronesia.
While I am very grateful for the traditions and customs, I am also very grateful that I live under a democratic government and not a traditional hierarchy. I am glad that I can elect my leaders and that the constitution is the supreme law of the land. A constitution that was written and voted upon by the people for the people. Do you get my drift?
The role traditional leaders play in our society is important. But they must play their role, like the Governor plays his role, the Speaker plays his role, and the Chief Justice plays his role. There can only be three branches of Government, according to the constitution that we the people voted for and live under.
Funds drawn from the State treasury "for the support of traditional leaders in affairs of state and government" sounds like they are now part of the government decision making process. Traditional leaders are not part of the government, but customs and traditions have always been supported by the FSM and Pohnpei Constitutions. Anything beyond that, and we are walking dangerously close to having decisions made by those who we did not elect and whose allegiance are with their respective kingdoms, first and not with the rule of law, individual rights or democracy.
Do you want that?
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