President of Maldives, bomb blast, political purging!

The events of the past month when a supposed bomb exploded on the speed launch of the President of Maldives, Yameen Abdul Gayyoom (YAG) has imploded a political bomb as well. The presidents own vice president, Adheeb Abdul Gafoor, is currently under arrest and the main suspect. The VP's friends and business partners are also being detained and questioned. The President's own party, PPM, is now divided and in chaos.

Is this a real threat on the life of the president by a greedy VP? Or is this a ploy to purge the government and party of all opponents and threats to the current president YAG?

The more 'evidence' the Police and Military 'find' the more scary they make it sound. The recently discovered guns (apparently stolen from the Military store) and ammo and grenades and plastic explosives suggest that there could be a deadly scheme. The Police claim the search is ongoing and that there is no threat to the public. The president in his address to the people said that there was a threat and to be careful on the streets. These two contradicting statements along with the contradictory statements by the Presidents Office (which claims it was a bomb blast on the launch) and the Foreign Minister who told the international community that there was no evidence of such; there is even more controversy and mystery now than before. The unraveling isn't of the true culprits of the Bomb blast but rather of who sides with president YAG and his half brother (the long time dictator Gayyoom ) within his party and government.

The FBI who were called in for the investigation has not concluded that there was a bomb blast on the launch. The Saudi Arabian report of the blast says there was one. Nothing seems certain.

What ever the blast may be, a threat on the life of the president or a ploy to distract and create an excuse to rid those who threaten his power, this situation seems to have created a vacuum for the opposition to play wisely with. Only time will tell how this ;investigation' will continue and what more will be revealed. Prominent businessmen including Hamid Seytu are now under arrest. It just seems like at least now there is a political purge ongoing!

Ex-president Mohamed Nasheed’s Arrest and days ahead:

The Maldives has seen radical changes within the past 7 years. From a 30 year old dictatorship to a elected democracy to the toppling of that government to a Supreme Court that is way too powerful than it should be. 

My two cents on the arrest of Nasheed are as follows. Firstly, he is being charged under the Terrorism Act for the “Kidnapping” of a Criminal Court chief judge, Abdullah, which happened in 2012. It has taken two years, and sudden call for street protests with government coalition parties abandoning the government to support the opposition MDP, for the government to suddenly arrest him. The Criminal Court issued an Order to the Police to lock him up for ‘he might flee”. This is a clear political decision. In fact, this now means there will be no free, unbiased investigation or court case with regards to the arrest of the Judge by Nasheed. 

Secondly, the government, especially the President Abdullah Yameen, is quite rapidly alienating himself and backing himself into a corner. Parliamentarians are defecting and leaving his party as well (while it has to be acknowledged that one MP has signed over form opposition JP to PPM, the governing party as well). The opposition coalition will hold a street protest on the 27th to show their strength. These are ploys by Nasheed, who says that the CONI report, done with support from the Commonwealth to investigate his own “forced resignation”, has legitimized the methods that the opposition will utilize to over throw the current government. The government has played into their hands by arresting Nasheed and being intimidated by the oppositions ‘show of strength’. Nasheed has clearly stated in an interview to a leading newspaper that while MDP accepts the CONI report they do not believe it is how things happened and that there was a Coup on February 2012. Nasheed seem to have to do very little, since the government has manged to entangle themselves in their own personal agendas. The Defence Minister is being tried under the Terrorism Act and being accused of trying to “Kill” certain government officials by smuggling in a pistol and three bullets, which the Police found at a midnight raid of his apartment. The Home Minister who commands the Police has not been heard of nor have we seen or heard from the Vice President as well. The only Prominent minister is the Tourism Minister and the rest are either unheard of or keeping themselves out of the politics. The government organized a street rally with Gang Members with their faces covered and this probably lost them a lot of public sympathy. Nasheed is now once more locked up, and so is the minister of Defense, Nazim, and the new Defense minister, Moosa Jaleel, of the government is being tried for being part of the Nasheed government and for ordering the Military to take up arms during the whole events of the day of Nasheeds resignation. It is like a Hindhi Drama, the Defense Minister Nazim who is being tried now, was the one who was key to stand against Nasheed and lead the Police and Military to riot against Nasheed’s government; but now the current government has him locked up. The newly appointed defense minister, Jaleel, (who is also a war hero as close to it as it gets in Maldives) was the one who stood with Nasheed back in 2012. The roles have been reversed so badly I am certain that these persons themselves at times forget which side they are on. 

Future of the country is full of chaos but it is not hopeless. With current rumors that Nasheed will not compete for presidency but lead the movement to change the current government is good news. It means the MDP will now have a chance to provide a new leadership that is open to any of its members. Nasheed also could set an example and precedence for the rest of the old dinosaurs of politics in other parties to step aside and let a new generation take over. Some people say this conflict is the worst in our history. I say that there is much more hardship ahead with more refining required of our constitution and our models of governance and economy. There is much more work that will be required after the government has changed. For we have seen how the first elected government of MDP, with president Nasheed, failed after toppling the dictator. We need to elarn from the mistakes of the past. We need more educated persons involved in societal change and development. We need more educational opportunities and increase our local food production and agriculture, reduce our dependency on imports and tax the rich and provide opportunities for the poor. We need to lead the youth away from gangs and drugs and violence and confusion by providing jobs. Island councils need to be of the people and accountable to the people and the utility companies be owned and run by the people. The unhealthy competition created by the privatization of utility companies has been a bad experience. Nasheed was successful in so many ways as a champion of free speech and a democracy activist and much more. I would hold much greater respect for him if he pushes new people to lead his party and praise him for his humility. The future looks stormy but there is always new growth and life and fertility after the rains. 

Regime Defection's Once more!

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is the largest political party by public support and activism for one party. They are the first democratic political party to come to be in the Maldives. Now people raise questions on how democratic the party is today. 

ISSUE 1: the regime defections of old political elites of the ex-president Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom’s government, when MDP formed, was the first such incident. The members were confused as to support these defections to the party. There would be some who had been wronged and rights violated directly by these people. Some members justified the acceptance of the defections as a necessitous action to allow the MDP to stay a movement with a lot of support from non-members as well; towards the change of the 30 year old regime. The party and its members accepted the defections simply to keep the movement strong, to defy Gayyoom. It has to be said the defections had some level of power and public support to MDP and disappointment and defeat for the regime. 

ISSUE 2: MDP had to make a coalition to win the election in 2008, and it also pushed for the rush to complete the new constitution. These two issues combined would later come to test the resolve and strength of MDP government and president, from the day of his election in the first multi party election in 2008. The coalition would be dissolved soon after taking over, and they joined the old regime elements to stand up against the MDP government. They raised the issue of illegitimacy of the government after breaking up of the coalition and also claimed President Nasheed was supporting non Islamic ways. Nasheed by then had appointed his close friends and activists of the party, to key political positions and his government was facing issues of corruption and mismanagement. Some of his power elites included old regime members as well. 
ISSUE3: After being removed from power via a Coup De’etat, MDP faced the issue of holding its members together and uniting against the new ‘elected’ government lead by the younger brother of the old dictator. MDP had to elect a new party president, and no one contested against Mohmamed Nasheed. As an onlooker it seems to depict a ‘yes sir’ attitude towards Nasheed rather than a democratic process within the party. This was exactly one issue that MDP raised against the old dictator. MDP lost many of its Council members and Parliamentarians, who switched too quickly to the government party. Some of these members who switched, were ones whom Nasheed had himself campaigned for their election. 
ISSUE 4: after the government of MDP was overthrown, the CONI, report supported by the Commonwealth stated there was no Coup and MDP accepted the report and reduced their street protests but maintained that there was a Coup in their opinion. Then the key figures of the Coup, who included the new Defense Minister and the Commissioner of Police, are removed from the newly ‘elected’ government of the Progressive Party (dictator’s party). Then these Coup leaders, now have joined in coalition with MDP against the current government. Is MDP going to justify that these members of the very Coup that they had criticized and ridiculed before can now be their partners? Then again is this any different from the situation when they first began? They could be accepted if MDP believes that the current government need to be overthrown and changed before its constitutional term; then it is once more a movement for change rather than a political process. Should they not decide which of it it is? Can MDP hold on to Democratic values and refuse acceptance of such defections, stay strong to their convictions? 

CONCLUSION: the current system of Politics that is in Maldives, is where we will accept all those whom we hate and despise, if we see fit they can be ‘used’ to gain more power. It is all about power, with little regard for the constitution or education and empowering the public and upholding their rights. If they do in fact, involve and allow the public to realize and accept the situation we face (which is quite dire), then would not the public once more come together against a new regime? Or do we really need the support of colluded and despised defecting members of the current regime to support us? Is MDP so weak that it needs their support? The public are not STUPID nor BLIND, but a lot of them are apathetic to the Politics and disillusioned. Independent institutions and bodies need to have more teeth and the ‘unions’ stand up for their members and the Journalists mature and be more responsible.The disappearance of the Journalist and Blogger and Rights activist Ahmed Rilwan, showed how the various entities used the issue to their own needs. Will it be another mistake to rush and make a change or are we in such a dire state we need to do it? If so the public needs to know for they are the most powerful of all institutions and bodies and entities of the nation! 

Aamu Raiyithunge Party- a Common Man's Party, in Maldives???

The AAP of India has seen radical success with their push for anti-corruption and Right to Information legislatures to be implemented, with Mr.Kejriwal at it's helm. The party that was founded in 2012 has seen notable success in the Lok Sabhah. So how has such a new party been able to defy the veteran political giants of India? It seems to me that the appeal of the AAP lies in its foundation of grass root connections that they hold dearly, and the actions that follow their words, of allowing "clean politicians" to be developed. Rather than resurrecting dinosaurs, that had previously been part of a corrupt system, AAP resorted to giving opportunity for newer leaders with backgrounds that their constituents can be proud of. It is yet soon to say how far they will go or if they will stay true to their words; and for how long. For Politics and Power Corrupts most people, but unless we Hope and Desire we can never develop or take the chance for that development, for our nation.
To look at Maldives, a much smaller nation with less than 400,000 persons, it should not be difficult to find leaders that have not let the people down. Leaders, who will not forget their roots and their promises. Call me a romantic or an ideologist, but the world is showing examples of such ideologies and fantasies coming true. Which society would reject a Political Party that is comprised of the Common Man and represents their true interests, and pushes for an Open and Transparent government, and is adamant on implementation of Anti-Corruption measures? Which society would reject the man with the broom who will sweep their roads clean and flush their toilets and wash their cloths for them? An entity that would only be as powerful as it's members and supporters let it be, and directed by open good governance policies, has no hidden agendas and works for the common good for all; such can be a common persons party. The question is, is there room for such a new party in the Maldives? Are we capable of following in the footsteps of AAP? Why does Transparency scare the current regime of politicians? Maybe because they all belonged once, to a government that ruled the nation for 30 years with a so called 'iron fist' that they once revelled under!

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. 

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.