By Tia Belau News Staff
A petition seeking to recall Ngardmau State Legislature Speaker Terence Miozawa and Floor Leader Neil Fisher was submitted to the Palau Election Commission (PEC) on October 19, 2026, following the legislature’s passage of a second resolution to impeach Governor Jennifer Ngiraiwet.
The petition, signed by 54 voters, was submitted the same day Ngiraiwet filed a second complaint seeking to invalidate the latest impeachment resolution.
The petition states: “This petition is based on their leadership in adopting Resolution No. KN 11-19-2026, urging the Governor to terminate the proposed contract with S4 Co. without a public hearing, without due regard for the Joint Venture Agreement previously executed between the Ngardmau State Government and S4 Construction Co., and without respect for the Governor and Chief Beouch, who executed the Joint Venture Agreement. The undersigned believe such actions were taken without adequate public consultation and were contrary to the expressed support for the project.”
PEC is presently reviewing the petition and will announce the date of the special recall election.
The recall petition challenges Miozawa’s and Fisher’s leadership in adopting Resolution No. KN 11-19-2026, which urged the governor to terminate a proposed contract with S4 Construction Co.
The petitioners say the resolution was adopted without a public hearing or adequate consideration of a joint venture agreement (JVA) previously signed by the Ngardmau State Government and the company. They also contend that the action showed a lack of respect for Ngiraiwet and Chief Beouch, who signed the agreement.
Meanwhile, the impeachment election is scheduled for November 13, 2026. Ngiraiwet has asked the court to issue an order stopping that election while her second complaint is considered.
Justice Peter Huffman, who presided over the first case before his ruling was overturned on appeal, is handling the second complaint. A hearing on the governor’s motion is scheduled for today, October 26, 2026.
The proposed port project includes sand dredging, port development and other work, some of which began several months ago. The port project has reportedly earned opposition by those not involved in the project.
Sources within and outside the state have confirmed that some powerful politicians and retired officials who were connected with the previous port project that failed are fueling the opposition and may have some strong outside sponsors.