This is the first part of a five-part series covering Slokais as the country readies itself for the 2026 Election. Every week, the New Liverpool Daily and its partners will provide a story from one specific province. This is the first series of five provinces, “Far’awae, South Acadia, North Acadia, East Acadia, and Northern Isles” reported by Dylan Gomez. This is the 30 Province Project.
On a typical Tuesday night in Sendau, life is pretty quiet. Tonight, Tegyora Ahmad is performing in the small windowless club where the award-winning singer got his start. Back in the 1990s, Ahmad could be heard on every radio on the island as a small local sensation, briefly well-known nationally and even internationally. His songs “Calling You Home” and “Feel the Land” became karaoke classics with his blend of folk, pop, and traditional Riunan hymns. Yet tonight, Tegyora has a secondary message, politics.
Tonight, Ahmad’s show combines interactive conversation, song, and political statements.
“We as Farawarians, deserve a cut of the Markons spent on providing services for tourists,” he said before clarifying himself.
“We are all children of the land from somewhere; it’s not the tourists themselves hurting us, it’s the companies cutting off benefits for their workers. It’s the hotels siphoning away our limited drinking to power their faculties,” Ahmad said before launching into an original Riunan language version of “Calling You Home.
What the folk singer and candidate for governor of Far’awae is referring to is the Double Palm Resort in Bendiau being investigated for illegal usage of public services. As per local law created to protect the limited fresh water supply, all businesses and homes must abide by water limits or risk high fines. Yet the Double Palm Resort has allegedly been allowed to triple or even quadruple its monthly limit. In a statement, Double Palm Hotels denied “any wrongdoing” and they were “100% compliant and will “100% cooperate with the investigation. In a province where tourism and eco-tourism are major sectors the hotels and resorts have immense political power.
In early 2025, Governor Joash Bondari Pi’neh or JBP blocked a bill from the Provincial House which would allow for residents to sue hotel companies over noise, light or air pollution concerns. JBP stated the law was “unrealistic” as he argued that hotels shouldn’t be expected to police the behavior of the guests who stayed there. Ahmad stated this veto and JBP’s continued cooperation with the Conservative government was the reasons for his decision to run. In a province where 55% to 65% are Muslims, JBP’s cooperation with a government that has been accused of violations of the Kaijanese rights is seen as a strong mark against him. In 2025,Sendau held a “peace march” for Kaijan where attendees mourned those lost to military and police brutality in Kaijan and called on JBP and Far’awae citizens to boycott businesses that backed or supported the military or provided financial support to Weasley’s re-election campaign. This is a stark shift as Far’awae voted narrowly for Weasley in the first round with 32% and in the second round with 53% in the 2022 Election.
Talking to locals at the Tegyora Ahmad show, (which leans left-wing in terms of audience), there is a clear distance from the Conservatives, and especially the New Right. Although there is some debate on which candidates will take their place.
“I personally support the Greens’ concern for the environment, and their well-established policy is something I look forward to,” says Karini, a nurse on the island, as I go around the room, though most people I talk to seem to be non-locals, tourists enjoying the last of the winter holidays while seeming politically aware. They are of less interest to me, as I look for voices and stories from every province, not just a resident of New Liverpool or San Jose on a winter holiday. I then met Leah Jianwankon who is a musician in her own right and was born in Far’awae.
“I’m a big into punk music,” she says
“Actually voted for Spartacus Jones, he’s one bold punk rocker, and I get with that” she laughs. Leah goes on to explain how real voices of real people are harder to find.
“You can’t be a normal person and make it into politics. You have to be willing to screw people over.” Even in a crowded field, Leah still can’t seem to pick a party, Revolt! in 2022, Socialism-Labor in 2024 local elections, yet this time, she is unsure.
“Spartacus Jones is a total tankie for Miltinca. Although he’s a big supporter of Kaijanese in
dependence which I like” Leah admitted, before showing me her music account on Line. She is referring to his participation in the Red Wave Conference as well as supportive statements for governments in Kolda and Miltinca. This confusion among the left-wing about a preferred candidate in a two-round system could hurt. Sean Khan had his critics for his blunders in Kaijan, although he is not running. Joseph Chavez has critics on the left for his interventionist policy and perceived moderation on social issues. Delia De La Cruz, the leader of Socialist-Labor, is a possible option, although she has elevated mostly people from her home province of Victoria-Tedaya, the party’s traditional stronghold and hasn’t proven herself distinct of the “old left” politics of 80s and 90s.
After the show is over, I walk down to the public beach. This has become exceedingly rare in recent years, with resorts and private developers so prominent that public beach parks have become the only place for local residents to get their beach fix. Groups of local boys jump off the dock, only their phone flashlights illuminating the dark beach. Although a little chilly for the province, families walk along the beach. Far’awae is often forgotten, only becoming a province in 1999 due to a push for political autonomy due the island’s unique demographics and large indigenous community. Yet in 2026, the people of Far’awae hope they can make their piece of paradise a little bit better.
