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 Courts of Maldives- Civil, High to Supreme!

Maldives has Magistrate Courts, Civil Courts, Criminal Court, High Court and the Supreme Court at the top; in its judicial structure. In the basic functioning, the High Court and Supreme Court are the highest appeal courts in that order. The Supreme Court is also the highest body that can "translate or define" what the constitution of Maldives reads. The Judicial Service commission is the independent body assigned with the important task of asserting that the Judges of our judicial system are of the highest behaviour and follow the laws they preach upon the defendants in courts. The Commission is comprised of Judges, Members of Parliament and Member of the Civil Service, a member appointed by the President and a Member appointed by the Public. The lines in this picture are so intertwined, hazy and unclear that these entities themselves do not understand where it begins and ends. 

We saw the biggest obstacles with the Court systems during the 3 years of President Nasheed. For what ever reason it was that he "padlocked" the Supreme Court; the decisions by the court itself is highly dubious. Then Nasheed "detained" the Criminal Court Judge Abdullah Mohammed and some believe, lead to Nasheed's downfall as well. The significance of Judge Abdullah is once more at an interesting intersection. The current Coalition Government backed Judge Abdullah when Nasheed detained him and now the current Government faces trouble from him as well. Before we get to this interesting area, let us look at what the Supreme Court did within the past year. 

The Supreme Court single handedly ruled over the parliament establishing that it can read the Constitution as it pleases. The Court also decided to delay the Presidential election (against the constitutional mandated dates) and also assigned special guidelines for the Elections Commission to follow. The public is now confused as to who is authoritative over whom; there was no clear decision. The Courts are still out on that!

Then now once more the Criminal Court (with Judge Abdullah) refuses to abide by the Directives of the High Court. Well with the example set by the Supreme Court in not following the Will of the Parliament, a precedence can be said to have formed. 

Then there was the Sex Scandal of the Supreme Court Judge Ali Hameed. The video of him having sexual relations with "prostitute" is being distributed in the public domain. The Judicial Service commission is yet to take any measures on the matter. Or and by the way, the commission is also investigating conduct by Judge Abdullah as well for another matter all on its own.

The Justice Ministry is busy trying to find ways to implement the death penalty while the status of our courts are highly questionable. 

Of course, we cannot forget the matter of the Minimal Criterion for a Judge (grade 7 standard if my facts are not wrong) and the exuberant salaries for life, insurance schemes and other privileges. The allowing of well known Criminals (including Murderers, like Shahum who was let out to the public by Judge Abdullah simply in his words "to show as an example" for something that no one is sure of; later to murder another person) to be free on the streets and travel to Sri Lanka for medical reasons, paid for by the state; has become common practice. Also let us not forget, Aishath Velezinee (the ex-member appointed by president Nasheed to the Judicial Service Commission) and how she single handedly protested at the Judges Swearing in ceremony ;she claimed that they were not following the Constitution and that all current Judges are not properly Sworn in! 

So, as the Public, what do we do?