Maldives NEEDS Change Once MORE!

AT SOME POINT we start to find ourselves looking back; at what we have accomplished and what we have failed at. The chances are we will repeat our own mistakes over and over again, unless we do something drastic about it. Eventually we have to break free from this circle of repetitive mistakes. Such is life.

MARCH 2014, we are back to where we once started. We are with the uttermost need for change once more. The only difference is, this time we need to change ourselves. Maybe Mahatma Gandhi was right; we should become the change we wish to see in this world. Maybe, that was our mistake then; we can correct it now. 

TODAY WE ENJOY the luxuries of technology and freedoms we did not have 5 years back, we only lack the luxury of time. The goals of yesterday are once more goals for us today. It would be easy to say forget the differences and unite to change the government; but we know that is not the way. We cannot forget how we came back to this situation once more, in full circle. We cannot let apathy grip the nation to its last breath. We cannot let a minority govern the majority simply due to mere lack of will and blatant laziness. We can easily say the past is the past and move on; but that will not be enough for history and the sake of our future generations.

THE ONLY WAY to do this, would be to educate and be aware. To learn and crate a knowledge based society that is strong in their beliefs and even stronger in their determination for development; of self and the nation. The duty owed to ourselves and the nation are ones we need to fulfill for we shall be judged on these duties.

UNLESS WE CAN EDUCATE and protect our younger generations we cannot create a future generation. If the political parties fail in creating younger generation of leading politicians and statesmen, and the withering veterans remain in power; there will be no future. There is almost no hope for the current failed politicians and if we are to wait until they; very likely pass away; then what would happen to the parties themselves? Wither and waste as well?

 NO WE CANNOT! The Parties need stronger programs for youth development and recruitment. Our education system needs an overhaul as we need more thinking and questioning and curious young adults. People who will not take anyone’s words merely for the sake but research and learn and make an educated decision. We need young adults that balance life, enriching their soul, physical body and life as a whole. Young people who are passionate in their beliefs, and love their nation.

THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE! We cannot just throw in the towel now! We have been lead to this moment by visionaries and idealists and believers in freedom and democracy and strong faith. It is time that we all chip in and collectively carry that torch. A nation is a structure that never finishes being built; we need to reinforce and redecorate regularly. It is a tree that needs constant watering, and a book that has to be carefully handled and read with an open mind. A Nation is an empty vase unless we plant the flowers of different colors and shades. A Nation is a boat that sails against and with the wind, depending on who is steering. 

What we could become as a Nation!!!

The Maldives is the Island in the Sun; with so much sun that we should probably start experimenting with solar technologies. Why are we not? Can we not bring in foreign investments in the shape of technological firms that research on renewable energies rather than making political statements of utilising Green technologies just to make headlines? The government Flats and Office's and other buildings for public and it's own usage can be of renewable technologies right? I wonder why we make all these studies and report on Green Technologies but really do not do anything on it? Is it the Capital costs that are too high or is it because specific companies and businesses might lose their profits if we invest in Green Technologies?
What about research from our Oceans and Coral Reefs? Professor Ugail has an island now in Lhaviyani Atoll that i await to see some solid research come out of. What about the Marine Research Centre? Can we not expand it? Is there no investment in new medicinal developments or Marine research that might be beneficial to the world as well as Maldives?
I wonder often why we do not produce world class Divers? Can our Coast Guard be turned into one of the finest Diving Units in the world and maybe specialise in salvage? Maybe then we will have more vessels donated from international donors.
What about a Solar Hybrid Hydro kind of technologies that can make a electricity grid that can power up the whole country as well as power one of the most advanced Information Technology hubs? The IT Hub can support and host servers for world renown multi nationals and banks and so forth. IT is a great field for a nation that has limited resources and land to utilise. Our dependency on Fisheries is vulnerable. Another nuclear leak into the oceans can deplete our fishes and contaminate our waters.
Then there is the clear blue waters that surround us. International standard Ocean swimmers? Maybe in the long run that can be something we develop.
We have limited land and limited human capital; but if effectively utilised we can grasp development at rates our neighbours cannot. We have lesser problems as a society than the rest of the nations. We are unique but we refuse to capitalise on that uniqueness.
Of course we need a stable government to do all this; but more than that we need a ready to move population; that is aware and up for it. Unless the people demand these changes from our politicians, we will be stuck in this loop of building sea walls and flats. There are so many areas of development and technology and productive activities that can preserve our fragile ecosystem and protect our islands. It is just too easy to say "or we are tiny islands far away and we cannot develop them it is too expensive"; since we it is not expensive to build Bridges between those islands a hundred airports we do not need. Healthcare, Education, Sports Centres and much more can be amongst the list of productive and economically viable areas of development that we can invest and benefit from. Maybe one day we will see it a reality!

The flight that has landed in our hearts

MY THOUGHTS: Thousands of people are tweeting and updating their status with ideas, rumours, links and heart felt emotions with regards to the Malaysian Airlines flight that is still missing. The officials and rescue workers from all over the world are busy at work and the media trailing, every step of their way. I cannot even begin to imagine the pain and anguish of not knowing where the loved ones are; being felt by the families of the passengers. The nightmares that must follow them every night; as the strings of hope they hang on to break away one by one.

SELF CENTRED: To add to all this confusion and sorrow are the self-centred persons who should rather tie a stone around their feet and jump into the ocean. These people are playing with the feelings of the emotionally drained and information deprived families and loved ones. It is all fun and good if we knew what really happened and lives weren't at stake. I made a funny remark as well when I first heard the news. It was a surprise when the first headline appeared, “Malaysian Airlines Flight is missing”, but realising that the lives of hundreds of people on board and the families tied to them were in the balance; I simply felt empty myself. Imagine if someone made fun of a tragedy in our own nation and how we would feel. I wonder what really the people of the island of Maldives saw on Saturday morning? 

POLITICS: Then there is the various news agencies weaving theories like grandmothers knitting. Maybe stories such as this should be reserved for pure facts alone. False hope can hurt more than anything else, in this situation. Malaysian opposition politicians are ready to utilize the scenario to demonstrate the government’s incapability’s. The rest of the world uses it to mask other serious issues such as Russia and the Ukraine situation.

MOST IMPORTANT NEWS TODAY: this is the most heartless thing for one to say maybe, but it has to be said as well. There are thousands of people dying in Africa and the Middle East and for a moment we have forgotten about them. Unfortunately the missing MAS flight's news was a break from all those other serious issues, that once more will be spread across the headlines, all over the world.  If and when the airline is found, there will be relief for so many people in so different aspects. Today’s Malaysia will be tomorrow’s Ukraine or Syria once again.

MORAL OF THE STORY: there is no moral to it that I should dictate. The moral is whatever you find for yourself, reading the stories of the families in pain. Question yourself if whatever comment you make, on social media, with regards to persons lives; are they going to hurt or heal? This is once more an opportunity to look within ourselves and realise what we really have become, with easily available social media, thinning social boundaries and the ability to find support for all the wrong ideas we express, with ease, on the internet. I pray for the families and the persons on the MAS flight, and i pray for all the persons suffering through out the world. For today it might be you, tomorrow it would be me. 

Vote for Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) once more?

The struggle for democracy in Maldives left many a victims in its wake. After years of suppression, the common people got their voice and shed their fears. Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) was one of the leading, vocal activists that lead the cause and stood up against the Dictatorship of Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom (president from 1979-2008). Though Nasheed was not the first person to publicly stand up against Gayyoom, he was the most significant and prominent. MDP was the first and probably the only party with even menial standards of a democratic organisation. Nasheed was toppled within less than 3 years of presidency. The issues Nasheed faced that were more publicly aknoledged were that of a Corrupt Judiciary (with elements of the dictatorship remaining), the Deficit State Budget, the division of the nation and the high standards expected of him at national and international levels. 
More often we forget to realise some key reasons that could also be behind the toppling of Nasheed. These issues include; the in-fighting within MDP, the lack of "good people" willing to "get their hands dirty", the irrational and rushed political decisions that were more commonly decided in spite and the Political Deals that were made "in the interest of the people and greater good". 
Whatever those reasons may be, the fact remains that once more its MDP with Nasheed against the Dictatorship of Gayyoom (with his younger brother as elected president in 2013). A difference is that this time, the Supreme Court which was appointed by Nasheed (for what ever deals he had to do) is against him. The power wielding, undereducated, lipstick banning, sex tape releasing (all facts), Judges of the Supreme Court are backed by the Judicial Service Commission (that had it's composition decided in such a way that Judges from various courts hold majority-again during Nasheed's term in power). What ever the goodness in his heart, what ever the reason that he had to Sell out the Supreme Court and the JSC, the fact remains, none if it mattered or none of it yielded any good. We are back at square one. 
The Parliamentary elections on the 22nd of March, is when the people decide if they will elect persons based on their political affiliation or merely on their personal capacity. It is such a shame that, the only hope for reforming a judiciary that is now overturning decisions of the current parliament, is by electing the members of the only party that is publicly saying they will reform the judiciary; that is MDP. But how can we trust them to do something the second time when they failed initially? Will there be no more political deals that compromise their Core beliefs? Will I be left feeling ashamed for supporting them once more, if i chose to vote for the MDP candidate? This is a dilemma of the highest order! I would love to vote for the candidate who shows integrity and strength by themselves rather than stand feeble and weak unless for a party that backs them. I want and need those charismatic statesmen; but it looks like it is only a dream. 
This is one more reason why we need the "None of the Above (NOTA)" option in our elections. So we are not "forced" to vote for people we really do not wish for. 
I pray that MDP once more, holds it together, realises their mistakes and bring about the reforms; if they win majority in the parliament. 
The worst thing for the people to stop caring about politics and letting a dictatorship to grow once more. History does repeat itself. 
I wonder how i would feel at the end of the election? Will i feel like i have done not enough for my nation? Will i feel let down or hopeful? Will my hopes be once more, stifled and extinguished?  Only time will tell. Good luck all you good people.
 [Photo credit www.sun.mv]

Maldives Chamber of Commerce raises Concern over the EU decision to tax Maldives Fish exports!

From January 2014 the European Union has decided to discontinue its Duty Free Fish imports from Maldives (under the Generalised System of Preference), based on the fact that Maldives has not ratified 27 International Conventions. While this might immediately affect the Fisherman as the Price of Fish vary between 10-3 USD per Kilo, the politics behind the decision is interesting.
The Maldives National Chamber of Commerce, lead by its President Ismail Asif has now made a statement saying that the EU decision was based solely to force Maldives to have Freedom of Religion in Maldives. He says that the EU is not willing to discuss the issue and continue their stance under the "ratify the conventions" argument. Asif also said that this was not democratic that Maldives is expected to be a fully fledged Democracy overnight when the European countries took hundreds of years to be where they are now today. He also said that he was waiting to see which NGO's (almost referring to Transparency Maldives) taking money from these organisations will try to justify these sanctions by the EU.
One main argument raised by Asif was that he questioned how the Government could allow an EU delegation to be present in the Maldives for Election Observation when a more important issue related to the second largest industry of Fisheries, was looming over head. He asked why the MNCCI was not allowed to meet with the delegation. I find it as an attack against the Government saying one side you Stand against EU and on the next you are supporting them.
All in all we need to remember that Asif was the person who cut the Democracy Cake and was arrested numerous times and was the right hand man standing with Mohamed Nasheed during the beginning of MDP and was one of the first Youth Wing leaders of MDP as well as many other actions for the democratic fight that lead to the 2008 Multi Party Election. Then on, he was stabbed by unknown persons and he was seen to depart from the MDP and he rose to the post of President of the MNCCI. I only hope that his intentions with this interview, where he said that the Fishermen might protest against the EU Election Observer teams in Male', is one still based on values of democratic reform. I cannot know if this is a strategy to support the current government or one that has much deeper meaning to it.
Asif has always stood on the right side up till now and i will give him the benefit of doubt. The points raised by Asif on some of the issues seems valid at some level. EU could have been more strict and effective, way before this, and their help would have been much appreciated, if it happened during the fight to remove dictator Gayyoom. They should have pressed Nasheed on the issues as well. So let us see how this plays out. I have a feeling that with the Supreme Court's decision to arrest all the members of the Election Commission should be addressed by the EU and the International Community as well.  Video Interview of MNCCI on EU

Political Parties and the relationship with the people!

"Dictatorship naturally arises out of democracy, and the most aggravated form of tyranny and slavery out of the most extreme liberty" Plato

I am not against Democracy in it self; but rather the situation of democracy in our little nation of Maldives. We have come from authoritarian rule to this democracy almost over night. The multi party election and the election of a democratic leader happened within the mere span of 5 years. It is not surprising that the rule of the democratic leadership was brought to an end by a Coup' D'etet. The dictator called upon the international community saying that he refrained from democracy as such for the "people were not ready". While i cannot agree with this argument, I also have to accept that democracy is now on it's brink today, once more in Maldives. The opposition is fighting for a majority in the Parliament to push a vote of no confidence against the president. The government coalition is determined to hold majority to suppress the opposition. The political turmoil leaves the people of Maldives in a fragile state as they are forgotten and left disappointed.

The political parties were designed to be representing the common people of the country and bring forth their needs and come up with solutions to make lives easier and better for the people. Too soon our politicians forgot their true intentions and was quick to make a profit for themselves. Being such a small nation of approximately 343,000 people, we have a Parliamentary representative for almost every 5000 persons and in 2014 we have 82 parliamentary positions to be filled; on March 22nd. The government has more than 200 political positions. Then there are the Public Private Partnerships companies and the Utility Companies and Government Trade organisations and independent bodies that the politicians elect persons for and the Courts and other institutions. All in all, the politicians amount to a large percent of the total population hence the benefits of the high salaries and medical insurance programs that the lay persons do not receive, could very well be tempting. Hence it is fair to assume that the number of political appointments works in favour of the Ruling party for then they can control these posts and also tie in their friends and family along as well. 

Today, as the independents compete for the parliament, they are often ridiculed by the Government coalition as being irrelevant or rather opposition to the states good intentions towards the people and the opposition parties see the independents as a insignificant, saying they have no real power in a democracy. But is not democracy about the will of the majority? 

Too soon we are loosing our focus and aim of a democratic state. Too soon have our statesmen become businessmen or playmates for the rich. Too soon are we forgetting that the bigger picture is not about people but ideas. It is not about preventing a dictatorship forming, nor is it about electing a specific party. This election elect persons who you see will benefit your constituency, across the partisan lines. No colours, no parties! For unless the both the governing and the opposition work for the benefit of the people, the democracy we seek will not come to be. We shall remain in a deadlock where it costs the people, their finances and time and lives. The failure of a government is the failure of the opposition party as well. Political apathy is developing for these reasons. Some say that Plato was right about a Republic rather than a Democracy. This is why some people say a fair authoritarian might work better for the people as it did in Singapore. I for one am sceptical as to go so far.There is hope via education and awareness. Once the people show their fairness in electing good people and statesmen for the parliament then we shall move towards a better democratic society. 

Lost in Translation

We are too quick to use the words "democracy" and "freedom of speech" and "transaprency" but we lack the inherent understanding and belief in the words. Looking at the candidates debates for the parliament of Maldives it is evident that most candidates have a set speech with these buzz words. I wonder if they fully understand what they preach. Social media is another avenue where people express their opinions and get challenged and at times bullied for their expression. I wonder where we draw the line of reasonable debate and argumentation and bullying? This applies for media as well; when is it victims privacy over freedom of information? Untill as a society we understand these words and their importance and at times legislate in these areas, we will keep abusing these important terminology.