Alexander Merep Explained

Alexander Merep
Succession:Ibedul of Koror
Predecessor:Yutaka Gibbons

Alexander Merep is the High Chief (ibedul) of Koror in the Republic of Palau.

Life

Merep served as the director of the Koror State Public Land Authority.[1] He held the title rechucher-ra-techekii before being appointed by female Idid members led by Ochob Katey Ngiraked as the new Ibedul.[2] The appointment was accepted by the ngarameketii (traditional chiefs of Koror) on February 22, 2022, and supported by the Koror hamlet chiefs.[2] The title of ibedul is disputed by his sister Bilung Gloria Salii on behalf of her son James Lebuu Littler.[3]

Personal life

His family are of English, Chinese and royal Palauan descent.[4] He is the brother of the former ibedul of Koror Yutaka Gibbons, Governor of Koror John C. Gibbons and bilung Gloria Salii.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Timely claim filed for Koror Rock Islands for KSPLA by Merep. Island Times. Staff. September 20, 2016. December 31, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231231220523/https://islandtimes.org/timely-claim-filed-for-koror-rock-islands-for-kspla-by-merep/. December 31, 2023. live. Island Times.
  2. Web site: Ngarameketii accepts Merep as Ibedul. Leilani. Reklai. February 25, 2022. December 30, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231230094301/https://islandtimes.org/ngarameketii-accepts-merep-as-ibedul/. December 30, 2023. live. Island Times.
  3. Web site: Bilung claims Ibedul is highest title in Palau, rejects Alex as Ibedul. Island. Times. May 17, 2022. December 30, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231230190507/https://islandtimes.org/bilung-claims-ibedul-is-highest-title-in-palau-rejects-alex-as-ibedul/. December 30, 2023. live. Island Times.
  4. News: Robert. Trumbull. A Former U.S. Army Cook, Now Ruler in. Western Pacific Islands: Leads Foes of Military Bases There. The New York Times. 14 January 1979 . June 27, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20231229143134/https://www.nytimes.com/1979/01/14/archives/a-former-us-army-cook-now-ruler-in-western-pacific-islands-leads.html. December 29, 2023. live.