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. 

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 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

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? 

The parliament DOES represent the Society!

Sometimes i hear people say there should be a minimum qualification for members of parliament; especially since there is a minimum qualification for Judges as well. The Judges are not elected by the people but the parliament is!The parliament is representing the society!

Democracy is where the people elect their rulers and the people elect persons to represent their views and translate them into laws and regulations. The majority of the elected members of the parliament then legislate. If the members of parliament legislate with no conference or participation of their constituencies; then the public who elected them can vote against that person in the next election. 

Hence, the parliament truly represents the society in general. If we call the parliamentarians names we are very well calling names to ourselves. If the parliamentarians are ineffective then it is due to a bad choice of the public. Of course there are those who came with adequate qualifications and moving campaigns and lots of promises and simply fail to deliver. These persons we can rid ourselves of by not electing them the next election. 

Maybe we can put in a special clause that states after 6 months in through their term, if 2 thirds of the electorate wish to remove their representative, via a petition, or a referendum they can be removed. I am not sure of the efficacy or feasibility of this process, especially with financial constraints. Maybe it can happen in the future but not right now.

So, when we go to the polls in March 2014 to elect our representatives; the persons who represents our voices, let is be someone reflective of your beliefs. Not one who represents the party that you belong to; nor your relative or good friend. At the end of the day it is the public that decides who governs them in Democracy.

Then there is the issue of a vote of no confidence by the current opposition, Maldivian Democratic Party [MDP] against the government if they win a parliamentary majority this election. Ex-president Nasheed's statement saying they would do it seems more like an empty threat of a tired and defeated politician. His contributions for the democracy and governance establishment of political systems within the Maldives will always be remembered fondly, but his "threat" seems one if is a reality, to destabilize an already polarised nation. I  believe that if the current government is given their 5 year term, [by being the bigger person and not doing what they did wrong-two wrongs do not make a right and all that] he would simply fail as a politician or become a true dictator. There is no need for the change of the government until the next election.

MDP needs to focus on their parliamentary election campaign; for the primaries seemed too tainted with allegations of corruption and anti-democratic tactics. 

So elect who governs you carefully!!!