In recent times, as I browse the various facebook groups and websites of the candidates for parliament, I wonder at some of the things that I read about. Mostly, I am amazed by the number of people who defend a state of affairs in which MDP would control a majority in parliament.
Here's my response to those who support an MDP led parliament.
There are some of you that claim MDP is "the most democratic political party in South and South East Asia. There are some of you that claim that only with a majority in parliament would MDP be able to fulfill their 5 major promises made in their manifesto. And then there are those amongst you who claim that an opposition led parliament would both disrupt and halt the workings of the government by stopping bills on the floor. But at the end of the day, most of you show a blind faith in MDP that is just quite alarming.
An MP is elected by the people to represent the people as a whole within a smaller congregation. As such, whether an MP may be from MDP or DRP or an independent candidate, their first and foremost responsibility and sacred duty is to the people that elected them.
So by that standard, not a single MP nor a bloc of MPs may rightfully halt important bills such as the budget bill; provided that the bill will benefit the people, all the people, in the long term and not a handful of people; provided that their actions and subsequently the bills that they pass are not detrimental to the progress and well being of this nation and its peoples.
So for those of you who are naive enough to believe that an opposition led parliament would knowingly halt bills and pass laws that are detrimental to the people that they represent in order to satiate their greed; it just goes to show both the lack of faith we have in our own system and in ourselves, for we are those onto whom the duty of electing responsible representatives falls upon.
As for those of you who insist that MDP "requires" a majority in parliament to fulfill their promissory note to the people, please take a moment and think about this for a second. This country is not one in which a parliamentary system is in place, and as such the executive, legislative and the judicial bodies have been separated in order for democracy and fair government to prevail.
However, in the event that we the people award the same political party that represents the executive a majority in the legislative body (ie. the parliament) then we award to the same party the power to control the judiciary as well. Which in case you may not know, leads to the opening of the door towards despotism and tyranny without check; a power held by a select few who would effectively have the power, should they feel like doing so, to rape this country without consequences, bar a revolution.
I do not say that this may happen; I only point out that the opportunity for this may arise. And leaving that aside, the very fact that such a "democratic" party as MDP is purported to be, should "require" a majority in parliament gives rise to fears within the hearts of the people who love democracy. For if MDP is "the most democratic party in South and South East Asia" as you claim, then why need arise the requirement for a majority in parliament; why the need for such an undemocratic situation for the country as a whole?
For if MDP fulfills its promissory note to the people in terms of their manifesto through the executive, then the only need for a parliament would be to enact laws for the benefit of the people and to keep the government accountable such that law and order may prevail, leading (insha allah) to prosperity and well being. This my friends, is what is called "Checks and Balances" within a democratic system of government.
As for those of you who would respond to me with the oft said notion of how the MDP National Council will keep both the MPs and the Executive (ie. the President and his Cabinet) accountable, as they have done so in the past and so forth and so on; my question to you is this. What then is the need for a parliament in the event that a body exists more powerful than both the legislative and the executive bodies of government, than even the judiciary or even the fair peoples of this nation as a whole?
Where then is democracy where such a body may exist? For would we not then have willingly welcomed a tyranny of sorts, be that a "benevolent dictatorship", with one political party in exchange for the illusion of democracy and the rights that are ours by default anyway? Why then would there be a reason for a multi party state of politics, if the same MDP that supposedly fought for such a state in the past now looks to dominate the political arena and revert this nation to a de facto one party state after they have succeeded in ascending the throne?
Does some of this sound familiar? It should, as I describe in part a style of government and politics that have been prevalent in our society for generations. For those who do not remember the past, or would willingly forget so easily, are condemned to repeat the mistakes of the past. We are at the cusp of a new era, an era of fair minded government and democracy. Let us not fall back into complacency now and work to break the cycle. Let us vote for those candidates that represent the hope of this brighter tomorrow, those candidates that we can trust to represent us first and foremost before the representation of party politics and agendas.
By the people, for the people.
It is troubling times indeed.
Tuesday, April 28
Monday, October 27
BREAKING THE TABOO – PRESIDENT APOSTATE?
Apostasy – the formal religious disaffiliation or abandonment or renunciation of one’s religion. And in Islam, the “worst crime against God” that a man can commit
And at a time when Maldives is gripped with election fever, with one candidate and his party calling on citizens to “embrace Islam and turn their backs on a man who propagates Christianity/Buddhism”; the country is in the throes of something hitherto unseen in this small country populated with moderate Muslims. The taboo of “multi-religion” and apostasy is something that, till the Maumoon-2008 campaign based its entire political platform itself upon; something that almost everyone, both supporters and opponents of current incumbent President Gayyoom, avoided.
So at such a time, when the nation is on an economic downturn and a population seething with the “injustices of the 30 year old tyranny” of Mr Gayyoom and his family, it seems a god-send to the Maumoon-2008 campaign that such patently false allegations seem to be working. After all, as one article read “this is far preferable to an election framed around Mr Nasheed’s most longstanding message – whether Maldivians want to continue with a president (and his family and friends) who have thieved, tortured and misruled for 30 years”. It is a campaign to “otherize” or disassociate Maldivians with Mr Nasheed by suggesting that he was either Christian or Buddhist, or at least has scurrilous ties to those faiths.
Unfortunately for Mr Gayyoom, Mr Nasheed and his allies represent a change that the Maumoon-2008 campaign cannot hope to embody. The Maumoon-2008 campaign, for most people, represents a president and his allies trying to hold on to the reins of power and the benefits that come with it; “the last cries of a dying animal” as some people have called it, this represents to many the last desperate claims of a campaign that has nothing better to offer than an aging man and his family and friends/allies who are willing and ready to do anything to win.
So the question arises, at this time and place, “does this have any relevance?”; “Yes” shout many, albeit all of them are ardent supporters of Mr Gayyoom. Mr Nasheed and his allies seem unconcerned about such allegations, and sources close to him are “indignant” about such blatant accusations falsely propagated by the Maumoon-2008 campaign.
However, in a race that is so closely and hotly contended, with literally tens of thousands of Maldivians divided on who to vote for on October 28; one must wonder how much relevance these accusations hold. Personally I do not think this should have any relevance in an election that is set, for almost 60% of Maldivians, to get rid of a 30 year old dictatorship.
So any of you out there, who have thoughts to vote against Mr Nasheed solely based on his alleged “apostasy”; I say please, change your minds. Islam is the core foundation of our country; and neither Mr Gayyoom nor Mr Nasheed can change that.
Vote for change.
And at a time when Maldives is gripped with election fever, with one candidate and his party calling on citizens to “embrace Islam and turn their backs on a man who propagates Christianity/Buddhism”; the country is in the throes of something hitherto unseen in this small country populated with moderate Muslims. The taboo of “multi-religion” and apostasy is something that, till the Maumoon-2008 campaign based its entire political platform itself upon; something that almost everyone, both supporters and opponents of current incumbent President Gayyoom, avoided.
So at such a time, when the nation is on an economic downturn and a population seething with the “injustices of the 30 year old tyranny” of Mr Gayyoom and his family, it seems a god-send to the Maumoon-2008 campaign that such patently false allegations seem to be working. After all, as one article read “this is far preferable to an election framed around Mr Nasheed’s most longstanding message – whether Maldivians want to continue with a president (and his family and friends) who have thieved, tortured and misruled for 30 years”. It is a campaign to “otherize” or disassociate Maldivians with Mr Nasheed by suggesting that he was either Christian or Buddhist, or at least has scurrilous ties to those faiths.
Unfortunately for Mr Gayyoom, Mr Nasheed and his allies represent a change that the Maumoon-2008 campaign cannot hope to embody. The Maumoon-2008 campaign, for most people, represents a president and his allies trying to hold on to the reins of power and the benefits that come with it; “the last cries of a dying animal” as some people have called it, this represents to many the last desperate claims of a campaign that has nothing better to offer than an aging man and his family and friends/allies who are willing and ready to do anything to win.
So the question arises, at this time and place, “does this have any relevance?”; “Yes” shout many, albeit all of them are ardent supporters of Mr Gayyoom. Mr Nasheed and his allies seem unconcerned about such allegations, and sources close to him are “indignant” about such blatant accusations falsely propagated by the Maumoon-2008 campaign.
However, in a race that is so closely and hotly contended, with literally tens of thousands of Maldivians divided on who to vote for on October 28; one must wonder how much relevance these accusations hold. Personally I do not think this should have any relevance in an election that is set, for almost 60% of Maldivians, to get rid of a 30 year old dictatorship.
So any of you out there, who have thoughts to vote against Mr Nasheed solely based on his alleged “apostasy”; I say please, change your minds. Islam is the core foundation of our country; and neither Mr Gayyoom nor Mr Nasheed can change that.
Vote for change.
Saturday, October 25
building a cabinet
While it is important to keep up the tempo on the need for change, it is another thing to blindly follow the few with the only justification being that we need change just for the sake of change.
And should Mr Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) win the upcoming run-off to the elections on the 28th, he needs to be prepared to take office; and we the people need to know who exactly it will be, doing what in what capacity; in what could be the most challenging and volatile transition of power in the history of Maldives.
The question, one might ask, is "shouldn’t we be looking for the key members in both parties?". However, as the other candidate is incumbent President Gayyoom, we may as well ask whether the sky is blue. In any case, let us first take a look at the current cabinet and the key players of what could be another 5 years of a DRP led government.
- President Maumoon A Gayyoom -
The current incumbent president since 1978, Gayyoom came to power on a religious platform after the then president Nasir refused to run for a third term in office. Taking over the reins of a small country with less than a 200 thousand population deeply in the throes of poverty, Mr Gayyoom has succeeded in bringing a modicum of democracy, an hitherto unseen level of economic prosperity and education to the nation; albeit with a strong emphasis on centralization which has only been addressed in recent years. Having been in office for 6 consecutive terms, Mr Gayyoom has in recent times been heavily criticized for a host of issues, ranging from the epidemic rise of drug abuse to the flailing economy in a global financial crisis; many of which his administration has in part been allegedly responsible for, and failed to address at policy making levels.
One of the more pressing allegations against Mr Gayyoom has been a history of nepotism and cronyism, with most of the high government offices held at one time or the other by members of his extended family and friends. Another allegation, that of corruption and the lack of action against this, has long been alleged by members of the opposition, many of whom have been arrested at one time or the other under allegations of "creating civil unrest" and other vague references.
Mr Gayyoom's current manifesto in the first democratic elections under the new constitution seems to address many of the issues relevant to the people. Some, such as religion and nationalism, have been a recurring theme in 30 years of rule; while others, such as the proposed bridge between the capital Male' and Hulhumale', have been met with both applause and wide-spread skepticism. Be that as it may, this is the first time that Mr Gayyoom has run opposed by other candidates, and the ensuing elections saw 60% of the nation voting against him. Having garnered 40% of the vote, Mr Gayyoom is set to run opposite his bitter rival Mr Nasheed; and has called on supporters that should he win, the people can look forward to another 5 years of the same system of government; a system that many agree is flawed and has failed over the course of his leadership.
- Abdulla Yameen -
Mr Gayyoom's younger brother, Mr Yameen is a Yale (?) and University of Beirut graduate who came into the limelight of the Maldivian political arena in the early 90s. Taking over the then Ministry of Trade and Human Resources (?) after an apparent scandal regarding Mr Gayyoom's brother-in-law Ilyas Ibrahim, Mr Yameen has since become one of the most powerful and controversial politicians in the country. During his tenure as Trade Minister, the country saw a fair level of economic growth, and state-owned companies such as STELCO and STO became benchmark companies with record profits. However, during the past 5 years, Mr Yameen was seen to have been marginalized as his portfolio was moved and made the Minister of Higher Education, Employment and Social Security. Here too, Mr Yameen proved his skills, with both critics and supporters alike agreeing that during his relatively short tenure at the Ministry, implementing programs such as the Higher Education Fund and the Student Loan program.
However, Mr Yameen has had his fair share of success along with heavy criticism, especially of widespread cronyism and corruption, as well as being perceived as the leader of the "Old Guard" of ministers. In recent years, he has also been connected with the rampant gang violence and drug industry, although he has on occasion vehemently denied such allegations. In a surprise move in 2007, Mr Yameen seemingly cut all ties with his brother and resigned from both the cabinet as well as DRP, to start up his own opposition group, now a powerful political party by the name of People's Alliance. However, during the run-up to the elections, Mr Yameen pledged the support of PA and aligned himself with his brother, and has since rejoined the cabinet as Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation. Currently, the opposition has accused Mr Yameen of being the "puppet-master" who stands to gain all power if Mr Gayyoom wins his bid for a 7th term in office; opposition members cite an agreement that has been allegedly "leaked" by members of DRP, that seems to point to a powerful deal brokered between Mr Gayyoom and his brother, whereby Mr Yameen and the PA will make all policies regarding the economy in addition to controlling it through various means. Mr Yameen stands to gain more power in the event that his brother succeeds in the bid for a 7th term in office.
- Mohamed Nasheed (Kutti) -
Mr Nasheed, the current Minister of Legal Reform, Information and Arts, has proven to be both resourceful and popular with both supporters and critics of the Gayyoom administration. Relatively young, he continues to be a key player in the legal and democratic reform process. Although he has been heavily criticized for his continued support for what many call a "failing" government and his decision not to join in the opposition movement with his former colleagues Dr Hassan Saeed and Dr Ahmed Shaheed, he has stood firm and continues to inspire the respect of many citizens throughout the country as one of the few "uncorrupt" members of the current administration.
- Ahmed Thasmeen Ali -
Minister of Atolls Development and Vice-Presidential running mate of Mr Gayyoom's bid for a 7th term in office, Mr Thasmeen is also a relatively new face in the Maldivian political arena. Perceived as a quite and competent member of cabinet with a "mind-your-own-business" attitude, Mr Thasmeen has been accused of being a "mere puppet" of Mr Gayyoom, and has held little or no respect in the opposition camps. However, supporters argue that Mr Thasmeen is more than competent for the job, and that his albeit short track record shows him to be the best man for the job. Little can be said about him, as he has only in recent months, come to the forefront of Maldivian politics.
- Abdulla Jihad -
Formerly the Governor of the Maldives Monetary Authority, Mr Jihad recently took over the portfolio of Minister of Finance and Treasury amidst widespread criticism. The main reason for his loss in popularity has been his perceived readiness to blindly embrace a pro-government attitude, leaving behind past comments made during his tenure as Governor regarding the state of the economy. In a recent press conference, Mr Jihad avowed that the reserved of $258 million is "more than sufficient", although it was just three months ago that he called for economic reforms based on fears that the country's reserves were becoming depleted at $300 million and that the economy was on a downturn. Being new to the political arena, not much can be said about Mr Jihad, but the little we have seen so far does not leave the mind at peace; think "2+2 is equal to "manikfaan vidhaalhuvi gotheh" ".
In addition to these members of cabinet, there are several key players; both within and outside of the cabinet; who represent DRP and PA. Some of those members are:
- Mr Ilyas Ibrahim, Minister of Health and Mr Gayyoom's brother-in-law;
- Mr Ahmed Shiyam Mohamed, DRP Vice President and Chairman of Sun Travel Co;
- Mr Hamdun Hameed, Minister of Planning & National Development and Mr Gayyoom's nephew;
- Honorable Ms Aishath Azima Shukoor, Attorney General notorious for proposed delaying of the new constitution;
- Ms Dhunya Maumoon, Deputy Foreign Minister and Mr Gayyoom's daughter;
- Ms Aneesa Ahmed, Head of the DRP Parliamentary Group and former Minister of Health;
- Dr Fathin Hameed, Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture & Marine Resources and Mr Gayyoom's niece, notorious for giving the middle finger to the media;
- Honorable Mr Anbaree Abdul Sattar, High Commissioner of Maldives to India and former Chief of the National Security Service and State Minister for Defense, notorious for his involvement in (the failed) Air Maldives;
- Brigadier Adam Zahir, Commissioner of Police, notoriously known as "the torturer";
- Honorable Mr Abbas Ibrahim, former Speaker of the People's Majlis and Mr Gayyoom's brother-in-law;
- Ahmed Nazim, commonly known as "Jangiya" Nazim, head of Mr Yameen's People's Alliance and an MP;
Most of the members noted are either related to Mr Gayyoom, or have had close and beneficial ties to the current administration while almost all of them have been accused of corruption, nepotism/cronyism at one time or the other.
That, ladies and gentlemen, is what a team led by Mr Gayyoom (and Mr Yameen, if the allegations about the "leaked" DRP/PA agreement are true) will look like. We have no drastic changes to look forward to; as Mr Gayyoom said, the people can look forward to another 5 years of the same system of government as the past 30 years.
Is it any wonder then, that many of us are now wondering what a post-Gayyoom government would look like, especially in light of the Coalition for United Change? Is it any wonder then, that many amongst the public, especially civil and politician workers, are wondering what an MDP-led government would look like; especially in light of past covenants to "revenge" itself upon those who had been "unjust"? This is why, with the run-off to the elections only 2 days away, Mr Nasheed (Anni) still has a long way to go in showing many of the "supporters for change" that an MDP-led government will be as capable, if not more so, than the current administration. And to do so, he will need to prove that an MDP-led government will both be bipartisan and willing to work with members of the current administration. This is especially important to gain the trust of many who are still undecided whether to continue to vote for change; and to reassure those who are willing to vote for change just for the sake of it. Possible candidates for an Coalition-led cabinet/government can be as follows:
- Dr Hassan Saeed, former Attorney General and second runner-up in the first round of elections;
- Dr Ahmed Shaheed, former Minister for Foreign Affairs and running-mate of Dr Saeed during the first round of elections;
- Honorable Mr Ibrahim Ismail, former Chairman of the Drafting Committee for the Special Majlis and Presidential Candidate for the Social Liberal Party during the first round of elections;
- Honorable Ms Mariya Ahmed Didi, Chairman of MDP and Member of Parliament;
- Honorable Mr Ahmed (ADK) Nashid, Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Republican Party;
- Mr Mohamed Nasheed (Kutti), Minister of Legal Reform, Information & Arts;
- Dr Abdul Majeed Abdul Bari, Chairman of Adhalath Party and famous Islamic scholar;
- Mr Ismail Shafeeu, Minister of Defense and National Security;
- Mr Mohamed Mauroof Jameel, Minister of Construction and Public Infrastructure;
- Major Ibrahim Latheef, former Deputy Commissioner of Police;
- Dr Aminath Jameel, MDP's Shadow Minister of Health;
- Honorable Ms Dhiyana Saeed, MP and former Executive Director of the Attorney General's Office;
- Dr Mohamed Jameel, former Justice Minister and founding member of the New Maldives movement;
- Honorable Mr Husnu Sood, prominent lawyer and former member of the Human Rights Commission;
- Dr Amal Ali, former Principle of Aminiyya School;
- Mr Solah Shihab, prominent patrician and advocate of the New Maldives Movement;
- Mr Mohamed Jaleel, former Minister of Trade and Economic Development;
Although some of the above are currently in the cabinet, or are former members of the cabinet, it is important to note that they are well qualified for their jobs, and have been of good service to the nation. It is also important to note that a Coalition-led government will need to involve elements of the current administration for ease of transition.
Another point that has always grated with many is the sheer number of ministers, deputy ministers and "ministerial level" diplomats and politicians; currently the number stands at around 125. This is something that will need to be rectified in an Anni-administration, and should perhaps result in cost cut-downs and downsizing and amalgamation of various ministries.
In the event of being elected, Mr Nasheed and his allies cannot accept much cooperation from the current administration during a transitional stage. However, it is important that at least in part, some cohesive form of a government be presented, ready to take over.
And should Mr Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) win the upcoming run-off to the elections on the 28th, he needs to be prepared to take office; and we the people need to know who exactly it will be, doing what in what capacity; in what could be the most challenging and volatile transition of power in the history of Maldives.
The question, one might ask, is "shouldn’t we be looking for the key members in both parties?". However, as the other candidate is incumbent President Gayyoom, we may as well ask whether the sky is blue. In any case, let us first take a look at the current cabinet and the key players of what could be another 5 years of a DRP led government.
- President Maumoon A Gayyoom -
The current incumbent president since 1978, Gayyoom came to power on a religious platform after the then president Nasir refused to run for a third term in office. Taking over the reins of a small country with less than a 200 thousand population deeply in the throes of poverty, Mr Gayyoom has succeeded in bringing a modicum of democracy, an hitherto unseen level of economic prosperity and education to the nation; albeit with a strong emphasis on centralization which has only been addressed in recent years. Having been in office for 6 consecutive terms, Mr Gayyoom has in recent times been heavily criticized for a host of issues, ranging from the epidemic rise of drug abuse to the flailing economy in a global financial crisis; many of which his administration has in part been allegedly responsible for, and failed to address at policy making levels.
One of the more pressing allegations against Mr Gayyoom has been a history of nepotism and cronyism, with most of the high government offices held at one time or the other by members of his extended family and friends. Another allegation, that of corruption and the lack of action against this, has long been alleged by members of the opposition, many of whom have been arrested at one time or the other under allegations of "creating civil unrest" and other vague references.
Mr Gayyoom's current manifesto in the first democratic elections under the new constitution seems to address many of the issues relevant to the people. Some, such as religion and nationalism, have been a recurring theme in 30 years of rule; while others, such as the proposed bridge between the capital Male' and Hulhumale', have been met with both applause and wide-spread skepticism. Be that as it may, this is the first time that Mr Gayyoom has run opposed by other candidates, and the ensuing elections saw 60% of the nation voting against him. Having garnered 40% of the vote, Mr Gayyoom is set to run opposite his bitter rival Mr Nasheed; and has called on supporters that should he win, the people can look forward to another 5 years of the same system of government; a system that many agree is flawed and has failed over the course of his leadership.
- Abdulla Yameen -
Mr Gayyoom's younger brother, Mr Yameen is a Yale (?) and University of Beirut graduate who came into the limelight of the Maldivian political arena in the early 90s. Taking over the then Ministry of Trade and Human Resources (?) after an apparent scandal regarding Mr Gayyoom's brother-in-law Ilyas Ibrahim, Mr Yameen has since become one of the most powerful and controversial politicians in the country. During his tenure as Trade Minister, the country saw a fair level of economic growth, and state-owned companies such as STELCO and STO became benchmark companies with record profits. However, during the past 5 years, Mr Yameen was seen to have been marginalized as his portfolio was moved and made the Minister of Higher Education, Employment and Social Security. Here too, Mr Yameen proved his skills, with both critics and supporters alike agreeing that during his relatively short tenure at the Ministry, implementing programs such as the Higher Education Fund and the Student Loan program.
However, Mr Yameen has had his fair share of success along with heavy criticism, especially of widespread cronyism and corruption, as well as being perceived as the leader of the "Old Guard" of ministers. In recent years, he has also been connected with the rampant gang violence and drug industry, although he has on occasion vehemently denied such allegations. In a surprise move in 2007, Mr Yameen seemingly cut all ties with his brother and resigned from both the cabinet as well as DRP, to start up his own opposition group, now a powerful political party by the name of People's Alliance. However, during the run-up to the elections, Mr Yameen pledged the support of PA and aligned himself with his brother, and has since rejoined the cabinet as Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation. Currently, the opposition has accused Mr Yameen of being the "puppet-master" who stands to gain all power if Mr Gayyoom wins his bid for a 7th term in office; opposition members cite an agreement that has been allegedly "leaked" by members of DRP, that seems to point to a powerful deal brokered between Mr Gayyoom and his brother, whereby Mr Yameen and the PA will make all policies regarding the economy in addition to controlling it through various means. Mr Yameen stands to gain more power in the event that his brother succeeds in the bid for a 7th term in office.
- Mohamed Nasheed (Kutti) -
Mr Nasheed, the current Minister of Legal Reform, Information and Arts, has proven to be both resourceful and popular with both supporters and critics of the Gayyoom administration. Relatively young, he continues to be a key player in the legal and democratic reform process. Although he has been heavily criticized for his continued support for what many call a "failing" government and his decision not to join in the opposition movement with his former colleagues Dr Hassan Saeed and Dr Ahmed Shaheed, he has stood firm and continues to inspire the respect of many citizens throughout the country as one of the few "uncorrupt" members of the current administration.
- Ahmed Thasmeen Ali -
Minister of Atolls Development and Vice-Presidential running mate of Mr Gayyoom's bid for a 7th term in office, Mr Thasmeen is also a relatively new face in the Maldivian political arena. Perceived as a quite and competent member of cabinet with a "mind-your-own-business" attitude, Mr Thasmeen has been accused of being a "mere puppet" of Mr Gayyoom, and has held little or no respect in the opposition camps. However, supporters argue that Mr Thasmeen is more than competent for the job, and that his albeit short track record shows him to be the best man for the job. Little can be said about him, as he has only in recent months, come to the forefront of Maldivian politics.
- Abdulla Jihad -
Formerly the Governor of the Maldives Monetary Authority, Mr Jihad recently took over the portfolio of Minister of Finance and Treasury amidst widespread criticism. The main reason for his loss in popularity has been his perceived readiness to blindly embrace a pro-government attitude, leaving behind past comments made during his tenure as Governor regarding the state of the economy. In a recent press conference, Mr Jihad avowed that the reserved of $258 million is "more than sufficient", although it was just three months ago that he called for economic reforms based on fears that the country's reserves were becoming depleted at $300 million and that the economy was on a downturn. Being new to the political arena, not much can be said about Mr Jihad, but the little we have seen so far does not leave the mind at peace; think "2+2 is equal to "manikfaan vidhaalhuvi gotheh" ".
In addition to these members of cabinet, there are several key players; both within and outside of the cabinet; who represent DRP and PA. Some of those members are:
- Mr Ilyas Ibrahim, Minister of Health and Mr Gayyoom's brother-in-law;
- Mr Ahmed Shiyam Mohamed, DRP Vice President and Chairman of Sun Travel Co;
- Mr Hamdun Hameed, Minister of Planning & National Development and Mr Gayyoom's nephew;
- Honorable Ms Aishath Azima Shukoor, Attorney General notorious for proposed delaying of the new constitution;
- Ms Dhunya Maumoon, Deputy Foreign Minister and Mr Gayyoom's daughter;
- Ms Aneesa Ahmed, Head of the DRP Parliamentary Group and former Minister of Health;
- Dr Fathin Hameed, Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture & Marine Resources and Mr Gayyoom's niece, notorious for giving the middle finger to the media;
- Honorable Mr Anbaree Abdul Sattar, High Commissioner of Maldives to India and former Chief of the National Security Service and State Minister for Defense, notorious for his involvement in (the failed) Air Maldives;
- Brigadier Adam Zahir, Commissioner of Police, notoriously known as "the torturer";
- Honorable Mr Abbas Ibrahim, former Speaker of the People's Majlis and Mr Gayyoom's brother-in-law;
- Ahmed Nazim, commonly known as "Jangiya" Nazim, head of Mr Yameen's People's Alliance and an MP;
Most of the members noted are either related to Mr Gayyoom, or have had close and beneficial ties to the current administration while almost all of them have been accused of corruption, nepotism/cronyism at one time or the other.
That, ladies and gentlemen, is what a team led by Mr Gayyoom (and Mr Yameen, if the allegations about the "leaked" DRP/PA agreement are true) will look like. We have no drastic changes to look forward to; as Mr Gayyoom said, the people can look forward to another 5 years of the same system of government as the past 30 years.
Is it any wonder then, that many of us are now wondering what a post-Gayyoom government would look like, especially in light of the Coalition for United Change? Is it any wonder then, that many amongst the public, especially civil and politician workers, are wondering what an MDP-led government would look like; especially in light of past covenants to "revenge" itself upon those who had been "unjust"? This is why, with the run-off to the elections only 2 days away, Mr Nasheed (Anni) still has a long way to go in showing many of the "supporters for change" that an MDP-led government will be as capable, if not more so, than the current administration. And to do so, he will need to prove that an MDP-led government will both be bipartisan and willing to work with members of the current administration. This is especially important to gain the trust of many who are still undecided whether to continue to vote for change; and to reassure those who are willing to vote for change just for the sake of it. Possible candidates for an Coalition-led cabinet/government can be as follows:
- Dr Hassan Saeed, former Attorney General and second runner-up in the first round of elections;
- Dr Ahmed Shaheed, former Minister for Foreign Affairs and running-mate of Dr Saeed during the first round of elections;
- Honorable Mr Ibrahim Ismail, former Chairman of the Drafting Committee for the Special Majlis and Presidential Candidate for the Social Liberal Party during the first round of elections;
- Honorable Ms Mariya Ahmed Didi, Chairman of MDP and Member of Parliament;
- Honorable Mr Ahmed (ADK) Nashid, Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Republican Party;
- Mr Mohamed Nasheed (Kutti), Minister of Legal Reform, Information & Arts;
- Dr Abdul Majeed Abdul Bari, Chairman of Adhalath Party and famous Islamic scholar;
- Mr Ismail Shafeeu, Minister of Defense and National Security;
- Mr Mohamed Mauroof Jameel, Minister of Construction and Public Infrastructure;
- Major Ibrahim Latheef, former Deputy Commissioner of Police;
- Dr Aminath Jameel, MDP's Shadow Minister of Health;
- Honorable Ms Dhiyana Saeed, MP and former Executive Director of the Attorney General's Office;
- Dr Mohamed Jameel, former Justice Minister and founding member of the New Maldives movement;
- Honorable Mr Husnu Sood, prominent lawyer and former member of the Human Rights Commission;
- Dr Amal Ali, former Principle of Aminiyya School;
- Mr Solah Shihab, prominent patrician and advocate of the New Maldives Movement;
- Mr Mohamed Jaleel, former Minister of Trade and Economic Development;
Although some of the above are currently in the cabinet, or are former members of the cabinet, it is important to note that they are well qualified for their jobs, and have been of good service to the nation. It is also important to note that a Coalition-led government will need to involve elements of the current administration for ease of transition.
Another point that has always grated with many is the sheer number of ministers, deputy ministers and "ministerial level" diplomats and politicians; currently the number stands at around 125. This is something that will need to be rectified in an Anni-administration, and should perhaps result in cost cut-downs and downsizing and amalgamation of various ministries.
In the event of being elected, Mr Nasheed and his allies cannot accept much cooperation from the current administration during a transitional stage. However, it is important that at least in part, some cohesive form of a government be presented, ready to take over.
comment of the day
"You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time." Abraham Lincoln
an endorsement
Hyperbole is the currency of presidential campaigns, but this year the nation’s future truly hangs in the balance.
The Maldives is battered and drifting after 30 years of President Gayyoom's failed leadership. Any potential new-comer to the presidency would be saddled with a scarred global image and a government systematically stripped of its ability to protect and help its citizens - whether they are searching for affordable, first-rate healthcare; or struggling to make ends meet, especially with the economic downturn and potential financial crisis that can no longer be prevented in the short term.
As tough as the times are; as tough as the choice may seem, the selection of a new president is easy. After nearly 6 years of a grueling and sometimes even ugly campaign against incumbent President Gayyoom, Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) of the MDP has proved that he is the choice (backed by the Allied Coalition for Change) to be the 3rd president (of the Second Republic) of Maldives.
Mr Nasheed has met challenge after challenge, growing as a leader and putting real flesh on his early promises of hope and change. Albeit partially losing credence with many members and supporters of his own party, he has shown a cool head in recent times and made sound decisions based on sound judgment in regard to the coalition, addressing pressing issues in regard to his candidacy. Many believe he has the will and the ability to forge the broad political consensus that is essential to finding solutions to this nation’s problems.
In the same time, incumbent President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom has retreated farther and farther to the fringe of politics, running a campaign on partisan division, class warfare and open religious allegations that have so far been unfounded. His policies and worldview are mired in the past. His choice of a running mate so evidently unfit for the office; to complement a president's decisions, sometimes even question and countermand them; was a final act of opportunism and bad judgment that eclipsed the (sad to say) second - rate accomplishments of 30 years in office.
Given the particularly ugly nature of President Gayyoom’s campaign, the urge to choose on the basis of raw emotion is strong. But there is a greater value in looking closely at the facts of life in Maldives today and at the prescriptions the candidates offer. The differences are profound.
President Gayyoom offers more of the current administration's every-man-for-himself ideology; an ideology that has been rampant with nepotism, cronyism and high levels of corruption. Mr. Nasheed and his team have another vision of government’s role and responsibilities.
In many of their speeches, both Mr. Nasheed as well as his coalition partners have stressed on the fact that although the government and the current administration may not be the sole reason behind the country's woes; its policies have resulted in the development of many of the underlying issues that all Maldivians face on a day-to-day basis; such as the rising drug epidemic, which in turn has resulted in gang-related (and some allege, politically motivated) violence across the nation's capital.
Both candidates talk about tough action on these issues. Both present feasible policies for the future. Unfortunately, Mr. Gayyoom has had a history of failed policies. One must only look at the past 5 years, when surely factors such as education, gang-violence, drug abuse, religious extremities, etc; were plain in sight and on everybody's minds. However, the past 5 years have been characterized by seemingly half crazed decisions, such as the decision to appoint Mr Qasim Ibrahim to the portfolio of Finance Minister. Mr Gayyoom talks of "Aa Usminthakah" (New Heights) when the past 5 years alone show that although his policies are sound, the force and drive to implement these policies accordingly, is just simply lacking in his team.
Mr. Nasheed however, does not present 30 years of failed policies, interjected with nepotism and corruption. Of course, Mr Gayyoom and DRP, as well as some of Mr. Nasheed's former (and current coalition) colleagues and partners have accused him of such at one time or another. This however, is hardly beside the point, as we take a look at some of the more pressing issues that the nation is facing today.
-Youth-
In a recent statement by Vice-Presidential candidate Mr. Thasmeen Ali said that the "government has not failed the youth of this nation". However, statistics seem to point otherwise. According to the Asian Development Bank, youth unemployment is high in Maldives due to “under-developed training,” with 22% of men and 41% of women unemployed in 2005. Their report, cited in the Planning Ministry’s 2007 Millennium Development Goals report, notes over 90 per cent of students do not pass GCSE O Level exams. It adds that these students’ “contribution to the labor market and socio-economic development of the nation...cannot be significant”, as they lack the skills required for jobs. Asked about this report, the newly appointed Youth Minister Mrs. Aishath Shiham commented that the statements made in the report were "unfair"; although she admitted that she had not read the report herself.
-Drugs-
In addition to this, Maldives faces on of the largest drug epidemics in the world, with an estimated 30,000 of the youth engaging in substance abuse; with an estimated 12,000 of this population using brown-sugar (heroin). According to UNICEF, the average age of first time drug users in Maldives is 12. And according to the National Narcotics Control Bureau, the market for illegal drugs in the Maldives is worth approximately Two Million Rufiyaa ($157,000) per day. And according to the Maldives Police Services, drug-related arrests have risen by over 600% over the past 6 years. And according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) regional representative Gary Lewis, the situation in the Maldives was “close to unique” because a number of users begin with heroin, rather than softer drugs.
-Education-
In 1978, President Gayyoom took over a country that was in ill-health, especially in regard to the education sector. The country only had 3 public schools, grossly ill-equipped to educate the masses of the country. Over the next 15 years, Mr Gayyoom gave deserved attention to increasing the country's brain-trust; and today the nation boasts 222 public schools, teaching students from kindergarten onwards to A’ levels. However, although a huge number of university educated graduates and postgraduates reside in the country today, and many more undergoing studies and research in universities around the world; the country's education system is in a deplorable state - with 90% of the students sitting for their O' Level examinations failing their exams, according to an ADB report in 2005. Also, the country's curriculum has remained largely consistent since the late 80s and is taught by inexperienced and under qualified staff (of whom the locals are given sub-standard training). Meanwhile, local teachers recently went on strike citing issues regarding to salaries; and various schools across the nation have periodically been closed by angry parents in reaction to the poor level of education offered to their children. In addition to this, many cases of sexual molestation by expatriate teachers, as well as local, have been reported; yet in most cases these reports are squashed by authorities, and offenders allowed to leave the country peacefully or to continue teaching at other schools.
-Economy-
With only $258 million in reserves at the central bank MMA; and many businesses distinctly feeling the weight of the global economic crisis; the country's economy is near shambles. Although prosperous in terms of tourism generated revenue, most of the country's GDP is sourced abroad as the major stake holders in these ventures are based out of foreign countries, either as Maldivians living abroad or businesses owned and operated by foreign nationals and companies. Most people living in the (most) congested capital city (in the world) Male', are unable to pay their rents and resort to time sharing of flats, with families packed into 10x10 rooms like sardines. In addition to astronomical (when compared to the mean income of a typical Maldivian household) rents, the people face the expenses of high fuel, food and essential goods prices. With a black market that is rapidly taking over the established economy, leaving only the high end businesses intact, the country faces a social and financial crisis that has all the factors for a recession primed.
The Candidates
It will be an enormous challenge for any potential new-comer just to get the nation beyond the Gayyoom-years. Doing that, and leading Maldives forward, will require strength of will, character and intellect, sound judgment and a cool, steady hand. Mr. Nasheed has those qualities in abundance. As do his partners in the Coalition.
Watching them being tested in the campaign has long since erased the reservations held by many that led them to vote for President Gayyoom in six consecutive elections, as shown by the results of the October 8th (first round) elections, with a resounding 60% of the voters opting for change. Mr Nasheed and his team have drawn in legions of new voters with powerful messages of hope and possibility and calls for shared sacrifice and social responsibility.
Mr. Gayyoom, who represented the DRP; and winning 40% at the first round of elections, has spent the last coins of his reputation for principle and sound judgment to placate the limitless demands and narrow vision of the few. His self-righteous attitude and use of Islam and religion in general as a tool for political gain is only matched by a zealous embrace of those same win-at-all-costs tactics and tacticians that have hounded the Maldivian electoral process in the past 30 years.
He surrendered his standing as an independent thinker in his rush to embrace his brother Mr Abdulla Yameen's misbegotten policies and to abandon his leadership position in exchange for the (alleged) six-member "privy" council; which if true, will move Maldives further from democracy and closer to the oligarchy that it has become over 30 years of a "friends and family package" rule.
Mr. Gayyoom could have seized the high ground in 2003 if he had stepped down and declined to run for a 6th term in office; or if he had declined to run for his current bid of a 7th term in office. Earlier in his career, he offered the nation with a better future. Unfortunately for all of us, today we are living in a world where as Mr Nasheed recently commented "Gayyoom has repeated his first year's experience 30 times". Now his positions are a caricature of that record: think "it is not true" by Gayyoom when referring to politically motivated imprisonments of hundreds of citizens for the simple "crime" of voicing their discontent and desire for a democracy.
Mr. Nasheed has withstood some of the toughest campaign attacks ever mounted against a candidate. He’s been called un-patriotic. And accused of hiding a secret Christian (and even Buddhist) faith or even the (unfounded) allegations of being an atheist. The current administration has linked him to domestic terrorists and questioned his love of his country. Mr. Gayyoom has also questioned thousands of Maldivians’ choice, refusing to acknowledge that while 75% may not have voted for Mr Nasheed per se, 60% definitely voted for change; against Mr Gayyoom and his bid for a 7th term in office; calling DRP-leaning voters as “pro-Maldives.”
This politics of fear, division and character assassination has helped Mr. Gayyoom and DRP drive almost half the nation into frenzy, with accusations of being "un-Islamic" and "Christian" indiscriminately being hurled left and right. It has been the dominant theme of his failed presidency - a reliance on the simple fear of a multi-religious society in Maldives; and the portrayal of himself as a "Messiah" like figure, sent to "save" the nation and return it to Islam.
The nation’s problems are simply too grave to be reduced to slashing “robo-calls” and negative ads. This country needs sensible leadership, compassionate leadership, honest leadership and strong leadership. Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) and his partners in the Coalition have shown that they have all of those qualities; while President Gayyoom can only show a track record spanning 30 years of second-rate decisions and failed policies.
The Maldives is battered and drifting after 30 years of President Gayyoom's failed leadership. Any potential new-comer to the presidency would be saddled with a scarred global image and a government systematically stripped of its ability to protect and help its citizens - whether they are searching for affordable, first-rate healthcare; or struggling to make ends meet, especially with the economic downturn and potential financial crisis that can no longer be prevented in the short term.
As tough as the times are; as tough as the choice may seem, the selection of a new president is easy. After nearly 6 years of a grueling and sometimes even ugly campaign against incumbent President Gayyoom, Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) of the MDP has proved that he is the choice (backed by the Allied Coalition for Change) to be the 3rd president (of the Second Republic) of Maldives.
Mr Nasheed has met challenge after challenge, growing as a leader and putting real flesh on his early promises of hope and change. Albeit partially losing credence with many members and supporters of his own party, he has shown a cool head in recent times and made sound decisions based on sound judgment in regard to the coalition, addressing pressing issues in regard to his candidacy. Many believe he has the will and the ability to forge the broad political consensus that is essential to finding solutions to this nation’s problems.
In the same time, incumbent President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom has retreated farther and farther to the fringe of politics, running a campaign on partisan division, class warfare and open religious allegations that have so far been unfounded. His policies and worldview are mired in the past. His choice of a running mate so evidently unfit for the office; to complement a president's decisions, sometimes even question and countermand them; was a final act of opportunism and bad judgment that eclipsed the (sad to say) second - rate accomplishments of 30 years in office.
Given the particularly ugly nature of President Gayyoom’s campaign, the urge to choose on the basis of raw emotion is strong. But there is a greater value in looking closely at the facts of life in Maldives today and at the prescriptions the candidates offer. The differences are profound.
President Gayyoom offers more of the current administration's every-man-for-himself ideology; an ideology that has been rampant with nepotism, cronyism and high levels of corruption. Mr. Nasheed and his team have another vision of government’s role and responsibilities.
In many of their speeches, both Mr. Nasheed as well as his coalition partners have stressed on the fact that although the government and the current administration may not be the sole reason behind the country's woes; its policies have resulted in the development of many of the underlying issues that all Maldivians face on a day-to-day basis; such as the rising drug epidemic, which in turn has resulted in gang-related (and some allege, politically motivated) violence across the nation's capital.
Both candidates talk about tough action on these issues. Both present feasible policies for the future. Unfortunately, Mr. Gayyoom has had a history of failed policies. One must only look at the past 5 years, when surely factors such as education, gang-violence, drug abuse, religious extremities, etc; were plain in sight and on everybody's minds. However, the past 5 years have been characterized by seemingly half crazed decisions, such as the decision to appoint Mr Qasim Ibrahim to the portfolio of Finance Minister. Mr Gayyoom talks of "Aa Usminthakah" (New Heights) when the past 5 years alone show that although his policies are sound, the force and drive to implement these policies accordingly, is just simply lacking in his team.
Mr. Nasheed however, does not present 30 years of failed policies, interjected with nepotism and corruption. Of course, Mr Gayyoom and DRP, as well as some of Mr. Nasheed's former (and current coalition) colleagues and partners have accused him of such at one time or another. This however, is hardly beside the point, as we take a look at some of the more pressing issues that the nation is facing today.
-Youth-
In a recent statement by Vice-Presidential candidate Mr. Thasmeen Ali said that the "government has not failed the youth of this nation". However, statistics seem to point otherwise. According to the Asian Development Bank, youth unemployment is high in Maldives due to “under-developed training,” with 22% of men and 41% of women unemployed in 2005. Their report, cited in the Planning Ministry’s 2007 Millennium Development Goals report, notes over 90 per cent of students do not pass GCSE O Level exams. It adds that these students’ “contribution to the labor market and socio-economic development of the nation...cannot be significant”, as they lack the skills required for jobs. Asked about this report, the newly appointed Youth Minister Mrs. Aishath Shiham commented that the statements made in the report were "unfair"; although she admitted that she had not read the report herself.
-Drugs-
In addition to this, Maldives faces on of the largest drug epidemics in the world, with an estimated 30,000 of the youth engaging in substance abuse; with an estimated 12,000 of this population using brown-sugar (heroin). According to UNICEF, the average age of first time drug users in Maldives is 12. And according to the National Narcotics Control Bureau, the market for illegal drugs in the Maldives is worth approximately Two Million Rufiyaa ($157,000) per day. And according to the Maldives Police Services, drug-related arrests have risen by over 600% over the past 6 years. And according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) regional representative Gary Lewis, the situation in the Maldives was “close to unique” because a number of users begin with heroin, rather than softer drugs.
-Education-
In 1978, President Gayyoom took over a country that was in ill-health, especially in regard to the education sector. The country only had 3 public schools, grossly ill-equipped to educate the masses of the country. Over the next 15 years, Mr Gayyoom gave deserved attention to increasing the country's brain-trust; and today the nation boasts 222 public schools, teaching students from kindergarten onwards to A’ levels. However, although a huge number of university educated graduates and postgraduates reside in the country today, and many more undergoing studies and research in universities around the world; the country's education system is in a deplorable state - with 90% of the students sitting for their O' Level examinations failing their exams, according to an ADB report in 2005. Also, the country's curriculum has remained largely consistent since the late 80s and is taught by inexperienced and under qualified staff (of whom the locals are given sub-standard training). Meanwhile, local teachers recently went on strike citing issues regarding to salaries; and various schools across the nation have periodically been closed by angry parents in reaction to the poor level of education offered to their children. In addition to this, many cases of sexual molestation by expatriate teachers, as well as local, have been reported; yet in most cases these reports are squashed by authorities, and offenders allowed to leave the country peacefully or to continue teaching at other schools.
-Economy-
With only $258 million in reserves at the central bank MMA; and many businesses distinctly feeling the weight of the global economic crisis; the country's economy is near shambles. Although prosperous in terms of tourism generated revenue, most of the country's GDP is sourced abroad as the major stake holders in these ventures are based out of foreign countries, either as Maldivians living abroad or businesses owned and operated by foreign nationals and companies. Most people living in the (most) congested capital city (in the world) Male', are unable to pay their rents and resort to time sharing of flats, with families packed into 10x10 rooms like sardines. In addition to astronomical (when compared to the mean income of a typical Maldivian household) rents, the people face the expenses of high fuel, food and essential goods prices. With a black market that is rapidly taking over the established economy, leaving only the high end businesses intact, the country faces a social and financial crisis that has all the factors for a recession primed.
The Candidates
It will be an enormous challenge for any potential new-comer just to get the nation beyond the Gayyoom-years. Doing that, and leading Maldives forward, will require strength of will, character and intellect, sound judgment and a cool, steady hand. Mr. Nasheed has those qualities in abundance. As do his partners in the Coalition.
Watching them being tested in the campaign has long since erased the reservations held by many that led them to vote for President Gayyoom in six consecutive elections, as shown by the results of the October 8th (first round) elections, with a resounding 60% of the voters opting for change. Mr Nasheed and his team have drawn in legions of new voters with powerful messages of hope and possibility and calls for shared sacrifice and social responsibility.
Mr. Gayyoom, who represented the DRP; and winning 40% at the first round of elections, has spent the last coins of his reputation for principle and sound judgment to placate the limitless demands and narrow vision of the few. His self-righteous attitude and use of Islam and religion in general as a tool for political gain is only matched by a zealous embrace of those same win-at-all-costs tactics and tacticians that have hounded the Maldivian electoral process in the past 30 years.
He surrendered his standing as an independent thinker in his rush to embrace his brother Mr Abdulla Yameen's misbegotten policies and to abandon his leadership position in exchange for the (alleged) six-member "privy" council; which if true, will move Maldives further from democracy and closer to the oligarchy that it has become over 30 years of a "friends and family package" rule.
Mr. Gayyoom could have seized the high ground in 2003 if he had stepped down and declined to run for a 6th term in office; or if he had declined to run for his current bid of a 7th term in office. Earlier in his career, he offered the nation with a better future. Unfortunately for all of us, today we are living in a world where as Mr Nasheed recently commented "Gayyoom has repeated his first year's experience 30 times". Now his positions are a caricature of that record: think "it is not true" by Gayyoom when referring to politically motivated imprisonments of hundreds of citizens for the simple "crime" of voicing their discontent and desire for a democracy.
Mr. Nasheed has withstood some of the toughest campaign attacks ever mounted against a candidate. He’s been called un-patriotic. And accused of hiding a secret Christian (and even Buddhist) faith or even the (unfounded) allegations of being an atheist. The current administration has linked him to domestic terrorists and questioned his love of his country. Mr. Gayyoom has also questioned thousands of Maldivians’ choice, refusing to acknowledge that while 75% may not have voted for Mr Nasheed per se, 60% definitely voted for change; against Mr Gayyoom and his bid for a 7th term in office; calling DRP-leaning voters as “pro-Maldives.”
This politics of fear, division and character assassination has helped Mr. Gayyoom and DRP drive almost half the nation into frenzy, with accusations of being "un-Islamic" and "Christian" indiscriminately being hurled left and right. It has been the dominant theme of his failed presidency - a reliance on the simple fear of a multi-religious society in Maldives; and the portrayal of himself as a "Messiah" like figure, sent to "save" the nation and return it to Islam.
The nation’s problems are simply too grave to be reduced to slashing “robo-calls” and negative ads. This country needs sensible leadership, compassionate leadership, honest leadership and strong leadership. Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) and his partners in the Coalition have shown that they have all of those qualities; while President Gayyoom can only show a track record spanning 30 years of second-rate decisions and failed policies.
a few facts and thoughts
in 1978, there were 2 public schools...but now, in 2008, we have 222 public schools in maldives..well done u say?? hold on a minute and ask urself this: "whats the level of education in this country?"....im pretty sure u dont need it spelled out for u...like mr disayanake said a coupla years ago, "these buggers keep gettin dumber and dumber by the year"...im not sayin he's infallible..but given the fact that he was here for over 25? 30? years...im sure he was a pretty good authority on education in maldives...and anyway, u ask any student, past or present, wether they believed they cud have had better teachers and a better curriculum....the answer u wud get is a resoundin and unanimous yes!!!
30yrs ago, accordin to the govt, 90% of maldivians didnt have access to "proper" health care..and in 2008, there is a medical centre in every island, with three or four regional hospitals...yet, in 2008, 90% of maldivians still have to resort to beggin, or depend, on friends, relatives, and of cos the govt for aid for medical care outside of maldives...sometimes, even in maldives....there is no proper healthcare scheme...the hospitals here are second rate at best...even igmh....u go and ask just about anyone, and 2 out of 3 maldivians will tell u that they believe there cud be better healthcare services in this country...and im not tellin u to talk to just any tom, dick, or harry...but talk to educated ppl...talk to ppl in govt...talk to ppl who know the economy and its potential....u'd still get the same answer...
thasmeen recently said that the govt hasnt failed the youth of this nation...dr aisth shiham said that maldives is one of the countries with the "widest opportunities" for youth in the world...yet lets take a closer look at things shall we? accordin to the asian development bank, "youth unemployment is high in Maldives due to “underdeveloped training,” with 22 per cent of men and 41 per cent of women unemployed" in their 2005 report...they noted that over 90 per cent of students do not pass GCSE O Level exams...asked about this report, dr shiham's reply was that it was an "unfair statement"....yet u go out and see the maldives..not just maale...but the islands as well...u'l truly and well see that the report is tru...u look at the risin drug epidemic...maldives has a world class drug industry...since the november 3 "udhuvaanee hamalaa" no one has been able to import guns or even gun powder into this country...yet the government is unable to stop drugs from enterin...u look at our public offices, see how much "opportunity" there is for youth...a young man who comes in after finishin his degree will find it hard to get a job..unless of cos they have a "bond" with the govt...and even then they get a job which pays them less than enough to actually be able to afford to live in maale...or anywhere for that matter...and after a coupla advancements over perhaps 3 or 5 yrs...they'll more or less be stuck there..unless of cos one has political connections...and even then its hard to aspire to the higher echelons cos until recently it was filled with old farts who were over 70 and still clingin to their position and power...a common story: a young man like my cuzin who got good grades in his A'levels...4yrs on and still stuck in igmh cos he's unable to get a scholarship....yet this yr alone there were over 15 medical scholarships...the last one, about a couple months ago, went to ppl who got less grades than him....two of them actually admitted that they got their parents to "pull some strings"....talk about opportunities...
the govt talks about religion....yet today more than half the youth of this country..and quite a large proportion of the non youth population, can be agnostics...cant be bothered with religion, but yet believe in god...u look at our school system where they teach us hogwash about religion...an inquisitive student asks about somethin out of context, and he/she gets thrown out of the classroom (the maldivian version of detention)...u look at all the mosques...more mosques than ppl...yet they only get filled up durin ramazan...and of cos, the holy day of the week, friday...after all, we'r taught that not to go to friday prayers is a sin..hehe..im not goin to talk about the first lady not wearin buruga...but i will talk about somethin that we do see everyday....rite now, check out a video of any one of gayyoom's campaign get togethers...there will be an hour or so of "entertainment" where "rani group" or some such other bunch of women will be dancin half naked on the stage...personally i dont have a problem with that...but i do believe its a bit hypocritical when u state that someone else is not religious or not a moslem even when clearly islam doesnt encourage nor approves of half naked dancin girls...the other nite, local star "suneetha" danced to a provocative song called "touch me touch me"....u can quite imagine the dance moves huh? hehe..and yet we talk about religion...
the government talks about how the GDP was 22 dollars a head in 1978 and is now over 3000, the highest in south asia...yet, the average income of the maldivian man is less than 30rf a day...
the government talks about transparency, and yet since 1978, the president's office has only been audited twice, the most recent bein this yr...
the government talks about sustainable spendin, and yet theemuge has more staff than the prime minister of britain...
the government talks about a "new maldives" where the old will make way for the new...and yet there are over 125 "ministerial level" ppl on the govt payroll...almost all of them bein over 65 and do nothin but collect a pay check, yet shud have been pentioned off years ago...
gayyoom and co. shout that anni will bring churces and temples to this country...and yet it was durin gayyoom's administration that there was a party held by a british citizen in maldives with a budhdha as decoration...not that i have a problem with it given that it was just ornamentation...but when im unable to import a medallion with an equal sided "cross" on it..which by the way was a key-tag...i think that just stinks of hypocracy dont u? all men are equal in the eyes of the law, but some will always been more equal...especially if he/she is a billionaire...hehe..wait till i become one :P
there u go...9 facts...not allegations...just facts...
just over a week ago, 60% of the maldivians population voted for change...they did not vote for democracy...they voted for change...the simple reason is that after 30yrs, gayyoom, although was able to bring a level of development and economic prosperity to this country, almost all of us know, and accept the fact that it cud have been better....5yrs ago, when gayyoom started his 6th term as president, he knew that ppl wanted change...ppl expected change..yet all we got was debacle after debacle..look at the state the economy is in...so since he cudnt bring about the "gadha 5 aharu" durin the last 5yrs, why shud we expect it to happen durin the next? wat guarantee do we have? none really, given the track record....i know i know, the most common answer to that is "look at the past 5yrs...democracy and freedoms and rights have been granted...a better, more modern, and more powerful constitution is now in force"....yet if u think about it, unless there hadnt been ppl like anni shoutin and stuff, we'd still be livin with the old constitution...if gayyoom had just let anni rant and rave without makin him famous and givin him the yarn to look like a maldivian mandela, we wudnt have the rights and freedoms that we seem to have rite now...we wudnt have the kind of public awareness regardin politics that pervades the entire country now....
i know today a lot of the same ppl who voted for change are facin a dilemna..to vote for the devil u know...or to vote for the devil u dont know? and in the face of that, a lot of ppl are decidin to vote for gayyoom becoz they are afraid of change...
so sometimes even though all this talk seems pointless...i wonder...if we all talk enuf about this...if we all decide to talk to ppl...even those who have decided to vote for the devil we know...perhaps just perhaps we may be able to bring about a change...
i know that change for the sake of change can be dangerous...i remember someone tellin me once that that was how hitler came to power...but this isnt the 1930s and maldivians, once they'v voted for change, will not just lie like sleepin dogs and watch another dictator or watever u wanna call it evolve...we can and we will take action...so today we wud not be votin for change just for the sake of it...but we wud be votin for the future...
and u mite say "why not give him another chance? im sure he'l do a better job this time around"....well i say to that "yes i know. and thats the sad part about it. cos he's gonne build that bridge halfway thru...and he's gonna establish that university partway thru...and then he's gonna say..."hey, i need 5 more yrs to finish things" and we will probably think "yea..he seems to be doin a good job..he's changed" and we'l give him another 5yrs...at the end of the day, the opposition will be sidelined...by the very ppl who voted for change...cos gayyoom will ensure that changes, atleast in part, will be brought about...so wats the use of an opposition? we maldivians are a ppls who tends to forget rather soon...
so i say...lets all say..."thank u mr. president, but we'v had enuf. we'v let u handle the reins of power for 30yrs, and we applaud u for all the work u have done. but we have other choices now. we know we can do better. and we wud rather do so without u. again, thank u."
30yrs ago, accordin to the govt, 90% of maldivians didnt have access to "proper" health care..and in 2008, there is a medical centre in every island, with three or four regional hospitals...yet, in 2008, 90% of maldivians still have to resort to beggin, or depend, on friends, relatives, and of cos the govt for aid for medical care outside of maldives...sometimes, even in maldives....there is no proper healthcare scheme...the hospitals here are second rate at best...even igmh....u go and ask just about anyone, and 2 out of 3 maldivians will tell u that they believe there cud be better healthcare services in this country...and im not tellin u to talk to just any tom, dick, or harry...but talk to educated ppl...talk to ppl in govt...talk to ppl who know the economy and its potential....u'd still get the same answer...
thasmeen recently said that the govt hasnt failed the youth of this nation...dr aisth shiham said that maldives is one of the countries with the "widest opportunities" for youth in the world...yet lets take a closer look at things shall we? accordin to the asian development bank, "youth unemployment is high in Maldives due to “underdeveloped training,” with 22 per cent of men and 41 per cent of women unemployed" in their 2005 report...they noted that over 90 per cent of students do not pass GCSE O Level exams...asked about this report, dr shiham's reply was that it was an "unfair statement"....yet u go out and see the maldives..not just maale...but the islands as well...u'l truly and well see that the report is tru...u look at the risin drug epidemic...maldives has a world class drug industry...since the november 3 "udhuvaanee hamalaa" no one has been able to import guns or even gun powder into this country...yet the government is unable to stop drugs from enterin...u look at our public offices, see how much "opportunity" there is for youth...a young man who comes in after finishin his degree will find it hard to get a job..unless of cos they have a "bond" with the govt...and even then they get a job which pays them less than enough to actually be able to afford to live in maale...or anywhere for that matter...and after a coupla advancements over perhaps 3 or 5 yrs...they'll more or less be stuck there..unless of cos one has political connections...and even then its hard to aspire to the higher echelons cos until recently it was filled with old farts who were over 70 and still clingin to their position and power...a common story: a young man like my cuzin who got good grades in his A'levels...4yrs on and still stuck in igmh cos he's unable to get a scholarship....yet this yr alone there were over 15 medical scholarships...the last one, about a couple months ago, went to ppl who got less grades than him....two of them actually admitted that they got their parents to "pull some strings"....talk about opportunities...
the govt talks about religion....yet today more than half the youth of this country..and quite a large proportion of the non youth population, can be agnostics...cant be bothered with religion, but yet believe in god...u look at our school system where they teach us hogwash about religion...an inquisitive student asks about somethin out of context, and he/she gets thrown out of the classroom (the maldivian version of detention)...u look at all the mosques...more mosques than ppl...yet they only get filled up durin ramazan...and of cos, the holy day of the week, friday...after all, we'r taught that not to go to friday prayers is a sin..hehe..im not goin to talk about the first lady not wearin buruga...but i will talk about somethin that we do see everyday....rite now, check out a video of any one of gayyoom's campaign get togethers...there will be an hour or so of "entertainment" where "rani group" or some such other bunch of women will be dancin half naked on the stage...personally i dont have a problem with that...but i do believe its a bit hypocritical when u state that someone else is not religious or not a moslem even when clearly islam doesnt encourage nor approves of half naked dancin girls...the other nite, local star "suneetha" danced to a provocative song called "touch me touch me"....u can quite imagine the dance moves huh? hehe..and yet we talk about religion...
the government talks about how the GDP was 22 dollars a head in 1978 and is now over 3000, the highest in south asia...yet, the average income of the maldivian man is less than 30rf a day...
the government talks about transparency, and yet since 1978, the president's office has only been audited twice, the most recent bein this yr...
the government talks about sustainable spendin, and yet theemuge has more staff than the prime minister of britain...
the government talks about a "new maldives" where the old will make way for the new...and yet there are over 125 "ministerial level" ppl on the govt payroll...almost all of them bein over 65 and do nothin but collect a pay check, yet shud have been pentioned off years ago...
gayyoom and co. shout that anni will bring churces and temples to this country...and yet it was durin gayyoom's administration that there was a party held by a british citizen in maldives with a budhdha as decoration...not that i have a problem with it given that it was just ornamentation...but when im unable to import a medallion with an equal sided "cross" on it..which by the way was a key-tag...i think that just stinks of hypocracy dont u? all men are equal in the eyes of the law, but some will always been more equal...especially if he/she is a billionaire...hehe..wait till i become one :P
there u go...9 facts...not allegations...just facts...
just over a week ago, 60% of the maldivians population voted for change...they did not vote for democracy...they voted for change...the simple reason is that after 30yrs, gayyoom, although was able to bring a level of development and economic prosperity to this country, almost all of us know, and accept the fact that it cud have been better....5yrs ago, when gayyoom started his 6th term as president, he knew that ppl wanted change...ppl expected change..yet all we got was debacle after debacle..look at the state the economy is in...so since he cudnt bring about the "gadha 5 aharu" durin the last 5yrs, why shud we expect it to happen durin the next? wat guarantee do we have? none really, given the track record....i know i know, the most common answer to that is "look at the past 5yrs...democracy and freedoms and rights have been granted...a better, more modern, and more powerful constitution is now in force"....yet if u think about it, unless there hadnt been ppl like anni shoutin and stuff, we'd still be livin with the old constitution...if gayyoom had just let anni rant and rave without makin him famous and givin him the yarn to look like a maldivian mandela, we wudnt have the rights and freedoms that we seem to have rite now...we wudnt have the kind of public awareness regardin politics that pervades the entire country now....
i know today a lot of the same ppl who voted for change are facin a dilemna..to vote for the devil u know...or to vote for the devil u dont know? and in the face of that, a lot of ppl are decidin to vote for gayyoom becoz they are afraid of change...
so sometimes even though all this talk seems pointless...i wonder...if we all talk enuf about this...if we all decide to talk to ppl...even those who have decided to vote for the devil we know...perhaps just perhaps we may be able to bring about a change...
i know that change for the sake of change can be dangerous...i remember someone tellin me once that that was how hitler came to power...but this isnt the 1930s and maldivians, once they'v voted for change, will not just lie like sleepin dogs and watch another dictator or watever u wanna call it evolve...we can and we will take action...so today we wud not be votin for change just for the sake of it...but we wud be votin for the future...
and u mite say "why not give him another chance? im sure he'l do a better job this time around"....well i say to that "yes i know. and thats the sad part about it. cos he's gonne build that bridge halfway thru...and he's gonna establish that university partway thru...and then he's gonna say..."hey, i need 5 more yrs to finish things" and we will probably think "yea..he seems to be doin a good job..he's changed" and we'l give him another 5yrs...at the end of the day, the opposition will be sidelined...by the very ppl who voted for change...cos gayyoom will ensure that changes, atleast in part, will be brought about...so wats the use of an opposition? we maldivians are a ppls who tends to forget rather soon...
so i say...lets all say..."thank u mr. president, but we'v had enuf. we'v let u handle the reins of power for 30yrs, and we applaud u for all the work u have done. but we have other choices now. we know we can do better. and we wud rather do so without u. again, thank u."
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