Discos Forbidden in Islam says Maldives Islamic Ministry

Minivan News reports that the ministry of Islamic affairs appealed to the Maldives Police Service on Wednesday to end to all the discos organised for New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Police sergeant Ahmed Shiyam confirmed Dr Abdul Majeed Abdul Bari, the minister of Islamic affairs, had made an official request to the police commissioner, Ahmed Faseeh, for police to take action regarding this matter.
“We will be taking steps in accordance to the ministry’s request,” said Shiyam, but he did not comment on what action the police would take.
Dr Bari refused to comment on the issue on Wednesday.
Sheikh Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, the state minister of Islamic affairs, said the ministry had formally requested the police stop the discos from taking place because they were contrary to Islam. He added the ministry had received complaints from the public.
“We have received hundreds of complaints asking for a ban on the DJs,” he said. “So, the number of people who are against having DJs is greater that the number who wants them.
“Even a police official has informed us that they have also been receiving complaints.”
According to Shameem, it is haram or forbidden in Islam for both sexes to dance together.
Article 10 of the Constitution states the religion of the Maldives is Islam and Islam shall be the basis for all laws in the land.
Although Article 27 stipulates everyone has the right to freedom of expression, the right only exists as long as it is “not contrary to any tenet of Islam”.
Shameem said the ministry had met with and advised some of the people organising the events.
“They said a lot of money had been invested to organise the events and it would be a great financial loss if the discos were cancelled,” he said. “They added they would not organise more discos in the future.”
Hussain Ibrahim, a prominent lawyer, agreed there was no law which permitted discos.
Ibrahim, also a former constitutional assembly member, said discos were forbidden in Islam and as such would be contrary to the Constitution.
“I can’t believe it,” said 25-year-old Ali Hussain after hearing the ministry’s decision. “It’s a big surprise. I’ve been celebrating New Year’s Eve for the past five years by going to discos. Boys and girls want to dance to music on this night.”
Hussain added if discos are banned, circumcision parties should also be forbidden.
“In circumcision parties, men and women dance very closely, so the ministry’s decision is unfair.” (Minivan News)

Buying a private piece of paradise

No man is an island. But plenty of people fancy the idea of owning one. It may seem that Asia would be a magnet for "islomaniacs." Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world, with 17,000 islands. The Philippines has about 7,100 or so, depending on the tides. Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam all have extensive coastlines. But real estate laws do not make it easy for foreigners to own property in Southeast Asia, and most islands either do not have clear ownership rights or are already settled. Also, the few places that do come on the market can have prohibitive costs, thanks to demand from hotel developers.

Given all those difficulties, several new developments are selling villas on private islands that are adjacent to high-end hotels. Owners can have their island retreat without having to absorb the total cost of keeping it habitable. Aman Resorts is selling villas that start at $3 million on a private island in the Philippines. Owners have unfettered access to the resort's facilities and can live at their property, use it as a holiday home or include it in the company's rental pool.
Similarly, Soneva Kiri, a resort run by Six Senses on the Thai island of Koh Kood, is selling villas starting at $4.5 million. There also is a private island for sale nearby at $38 million. And the Jumeirah Private Island project in Phuket, Thailand, is selling private residential villas and estates next to a resort, with prices starting at $3.2 million. The developers of all these projects say it is too early to tell how the global real estate slump and credit crisis will affect sales - or whether persistent political problems in Thailand will take a special toll on that country's projects.

There are options for buyers with smaller budgets, like The Village at Coconut Island, a private island just off Phuket, with prices starting around $610,000. Also, a startup called Barefoot Investments is beginning its first project on a private island in the Philippines, the Cacao Pearl in Palawan, with homes starting at $210,000. "There's a wide selection of interest for private islands that would support a development that's a hop skip and a jump from a five-star resort," said David Simister, chairman of CB Richard Ellis for Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. "It's the ideal balance."

But, with enough money, there are ways to get around the problems. Six Senses is offering the Thai island of Koh Raet, with a 10-bedroom villa and full management services, for $38 million. It says the spot, opposite Koh Kood and the Soneva Kiri resort, has drawn interest from potential buyers in the Middle East, Taiwan and Russia, but no one has committed.

"There are only so many private islands you can buy, and this one is fully managed and serviced by Soneva," said Adam Taugwalder, the sales and marketing director for the company's residences division. As required by Thai law, it would be sold on a 30-year lease, with two extensions of the same duration; the company promising additional extensions, if possible.

Six Senses made its name with its flagship resorts in the Maldives, Soneva Fushi and Soneva Gili. The expansion into private property is something of a gamble for the company, but the founders - the chief executive, Sonu Shivdasani, and his wife and creative director, Eva Shivdasani - say they started their hotels so they could have their own house at Soneva Fushi. Now, they are offering such access to others. (extracts from http://www.iht.com/ )

Where the very rich go to indulge their expensive desires (including Maldives)!

Basil's Bar & Restaurant is a wooden shack of a beach bar located on the remote Caribbean island of Mustique. But despite its understated look, a night out at Basil's could bring you face to face with Tommy Hilfiger, Mick Jagger, Denzel Washington or even Queen Elizabeth.
"Here, they get to let their hair down and be normal people," says owner Basil Charles. "Bill Gates was sitting at the end of my bar reading a book one morning--I had no idea who this man was."
This 30-year-old establishment is one of the liveliest--and one of the only--bars on Mustique. Nicknamed "Billionaires Island," the 1,400-acre Mustique is so exclusive, there's only one hotel--the 17-room Cotton House Hotel. Most wealthy visitors rent one of 100 private villas, which run as much as $150,000 a week. Staffed with private chefs, butlers and maids, these full-service, two- to nine-bedroom residences give the mega-rich the opportunity to stay in what are essentially their own private hotels.
Mustique is one of a handful of exclusive and exotic hot spots billionaires go to relax and blow off steam. Whether they crave pristine beaches, rugged mountains or just a ridiculous resort in the middle of nowhere, billionaires have the megabucks to lap up luxury anywhere they desire.
And if they want a destination with a little more glamour and action than remote Mustique, they jet to the French port town of St. Tropez to show off their hard-earned assets. The French Rivera's most popular summertime spot offers one of the most glamorous ports in the Mediterranean, where owners of some of the world's largest yachts drop anchor to raise their glasses in the town's bustling bars, restaurants and nightclubs.
St. Tropez's deep-water harbor is a magnate for seafaring billionaires, like media titan Rupert Murdoch and investor Jeff Greene.
For a true piece of paradise, billionaires travel to Maui, Hawaii, where they often stay at the 370-room Four Seasons Resort to enjoy pampering by pool attendants equipped with chilled towels, Evian water misters and ice pops. When staying at the top hotel on the island, billionaires request the best room: the 5,000-square-foot Maile Suite, which costs $14,000 a night.
"The suite encompasses the entire 17th floor, and has three bedrooms, a private spa, a eucalyptus rain shower, six plasma TVs, an enormous balcony for tremendous views of the ocean and high-powered binoculars for whale watching," says Mark Simon, director of marketing for the Four Seasons Maui.
Computer tycoon Michael Dell liked the Four Seasons in Maui so much that he bought the entire hotel in July 2004.
Also on the list of billionaire playgrounds: The Maldives, where billionaires head to enjoy a system of coral reefs off the coast of India; the Hamptons, where mansions, quaint beaches, and pulsing nightlife mix at the east end of Long Island, N.Y.; and Palm Beach, Fla., where perfect year-round weather and beachfront mansions have attracted billionaires like Donald Trump and John Kluge.
But the freezing of the credit market, the failure of Wall Street firms and the S&P 500's 37% fall since last December have forced even the ultra rich to tighten their alligator belts. In 2009, the billionaires who sip cocktails at Basil's might be more frugal, and could pass on the $150,000-a-week mansions, opting for the relatively practical $50,000-per-week estates instead.
(reproduced from http://www.eturbonews.com/)

Naomi Cambell in the Maldives!

Living the good life, Naomi Campbell flaunted her bikini figure while enjoying a sun-filled vacation in the Maldives (pic) over the holiday weekend (27 December 2008).
Accompanied by her Russian billionaire boyfriend Vladislav Doronin, the temperamental supermodel offered a rare smile as she splashed in the water alongside her beau and two of his scantily dressed guy pals.
As for the 38-year-old catwalk queen’s vacation destination, the Maldives is an island nation in the Indian Ocean. Suitable for a billionaire and his supermodel gal, the island nation is the smallest Asian country in terms of both population and area.

Gasim’s silly and immature ultimatum to the government!

Those of us who have been following the reform movement would know that at various stages of this evolving movement, it was Gasim Ibrahim who has continuously acted on selfish ways which weakened the movement. Gasim always pretends to be a reformist but when he had the chance to lead the movement (as the head of the MDP), he chose to join dictator Gayyoom’s ruling DRP.

Gasim joined the MDP-alliance only when he feared that a Gayyoom-win could be devastating for his business and for himself personally. When the MDP-Alliance won the election, Gasim was given (as agreed) the influential position of Home Minister. But just as he messed his appointment as Finance Minister of Gayyoom, Gasim messed his appointment as Home Minister of the new government too.

His record as a Finance Minster was terrible and his record as the Home Minister show his childish and immature side. God help us if this man somehow becomes our President. Now Gasim and his Jumhooree Alliance has given an ultimatum of 48 hours to the new government (of which Gasim is also an alliance member)! Gasim’s Jumhooree Alliance is accusing President Nasheed of not honoring his pre-election promise of giving 30% of all political posts to members of the Jumhooree Alliance. In a tit-for-tat war of words, MDP official (Zaki) has said that Gasim hasn’t honored his promise of sharing 30% of the campaign expenses of the Alliance.

The fact of the matter is that even if President Nasheed hasn’t stuck to the letter of his agreement with the Jumhooree Alliance, Nasheed has given some influential posts to the Jumhooree Alliance. To whine and protest and give childish ultimatums at a time when the country is facing the biggest economic downturn for decades shows that Gasim is like a spoilt kid who is jealous that his friend got a toy that he himself didn’t get.

Even if Gasim and the Jumhooree Alliance have a legitimate case against the new government, this isn’t the right time to give this sort of ultimatum which could be interpreted as a ploy to weaken the new president and create chaos.

Some say that Gasim is now regularly meeting his old friend Ilyas Ibrahim (ex-dictator Gayyoom’s influential brother in law). Does this mean that Gasim and Gayyoom have kissed and made up after their recent political differences? As long as Gasim is with Ilyas and Gayyoom he cannot be taken as being on the side of the ordinary people. How can any decent politician claim to be working for the people if he has links to an ex-regime that sucked our blood for 30 years?

Gasim’s role in the DRP (as Finance Minister) and his role in the new government have shown what an immature politician he is. This also shows his miscalculations and childish whining. Maldivians would be fools to elect this man as even a member of parliament, leave alone as president!

As for other members of the Jumhooree Alliance (i.e. Adhaalath Party and Monaza Naeem), I simply cannot comprehend that Adhaalath Party could leave the ruling alliance and side with Gasim even if he decides to leave the alliance after the 48-hour-ultimatum. The interesting and heartwarming developments brought to the religious sphere by Adhaalath Party as a member of the ruling alliance, would only strengthen Adhaalath Party in the future. If they throw all that away to side with an immature and volatile politician such as Gasim, it would only weaken Adhaalath. My humble advice to Gasim would be: build on your strengths and in business and give-up the political ambitions which could ultimately weaken your business and serve no purpose for you or the nation.

No one is saying that the new government is faultless or perfect. Of course president Nasheed and his government have a number of issues that they need to readdress, but the fact of the matter is that the ultimatum given to the new government by Gasim would only strengthen the government ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election and show the Maldivian people what a good business man Gasim is and what a silly and immature politician he is!

Himeyn Ingilaab or Himeyn Conspiracy?

“Himeyn ingilaab” was a reformist website that made a significant contribution in the concerted effort to oust dictator Gayyoom from power last month. But since the election of Nasheed as the new president, “Himeyn ingilaab” seems to have changed its tone. Criticizing the new government isn’t a problem. In fact we should all criticize President Nasheed and his new government in areas that warrant criticism. But “Himeyn ingilaab” seems to be purposely publishing even false propaganda to achieve a hidden agenda.

The website (http://himeyn-ingilaab.com/) now seems to have become the mouthpiece of politicians such as Umar Naseer, Ibra and even DRP. We at this blog criticize the new government too but we have no agenda to oust the new government and install a new regime with some hidden agenda. Sadly the same cannot be said about “Himeyn ingilaab”.

In fact Himeyn ingilaab now seems to have become a “Himeyn Conspiracy” or “Silent Conspiracy”! The protest by DRP and Umar Naseer to prevent the extension of the resort leases for 50 years is an example of political cynicism. DRP was in favour of such an extension when Gayyoom was in power. Now that DRP is in opposition they are pretending to be the saviors of the public interest by portraying Umar Naseer as Robin Hood!

Himeyn Ingilaab seems to have sold their soul to a secret agenda. Their latest story is calling for Jumhooree Party to win a majority in the upcoming parliamentary elections in February. Can anyone smell a rat?

I am regular reader of the website and I hope that the editors and mangers of the website review their policies and stop this rot. No one is calling for a halt to the criticisms of the new government. But we should realize that we just ended 30 years of brutal dictatorship. Gayyoom left the country’s economy in ruins. We should give the new government some time and breathing space before we pass judgment. My personal belief is that the new government will need at least one to two years before they can turn the economy around and before we start seeing real benefits seeping into our lives. So, how about stopping this Himeyn Conspiracy and continue the Himeyn Ingilaab?

Nasheed has to realize that there is a fine line between being humble and being stupid!

A senior police official recently told me that he supports the new president’s humbleness and the changes president Nasheed is bringing to the country. But this officer said that president Nasheed shouldn’t dispose of all the protocols!

Let’s take the case of the Number One Jetty that’s exclusively used for the state’s official purposes. Since the change of the government we have seen tourist and local vessels using the Number 1 Jetty to offload passengers. Once I saw a fisherman dragging a container full of tuna fish on Jetty 1. This jetty is a prominent landmark of Male and it would be better to preserve its image rather than open it for all sorts of uses including offloading tuna fish!

Similarly it’s ok for the president to sometimes walk instead of using the official BMW car every time. But it’s bad protocol to let the vice president or any other official to use the BMW car reserved exclusively for the president.

A friend of mine recently saw a popular character (Feyrey) coming out of the President’s Office. This friend of mine asked Feyrey what he was doing. It seems Feyrey replied that he can meet the president anytime he wants! It is good to have a humble president who has an open-door policy towards the public. But some protocols simply cannot be thrown out of the window. One should make an appointment if one wants to meet the president. You just can’t have people walk in to the office and demanding to meet the president as they wish.

It would be nice if we can have an appointment the same day we request but nevertheless we should first have to ask for an appointment before we get to meet the president. It is the responsibility of any president to preserve and hold simple protocols like this.

When president Nasheed visited Fua Mulah earlier this month, and when his delegation was leaving the island, the president had to board the official boat and wait for 20 odd minutes before the rest of the delegation came on board. This isn’t the right protocol. Everyone has to promptly board the boat before the president does. The president shouldn’t be made to patiently wait for others to come at their leisurely time!

Nasheed has to realize that there is a fine line between being humble and being stupid! He just can’t throw out all protocol and in the process trample the dignity of the presidential position just to appear humble. Many of us will welcome the humbleness of the new president but some of us have reservations about the way that the president is going overboard in trying to appear humble.

Buruma Gasim's Mudhalu Zakath and some other random thoughts…..

1. Ex-president (Maumoon Gayyoom) still holds presidential ambitions.

2. Gayyoom also has ambitions for his elder daughter (Dhunya) to one day be president (or at least vice president) of the country.

3. Gayyoom also hopes that he gets the prestigious opportunity to be head of the Commonwealth or hold a senior UN job in the near future.

4. Yamin is still delusional as to believe that the majority of the Maldivians support him and look upon him to be a great leader. (Hence Yamin continues to have presidential ambitions).

5. (Buruma) Gasim too is delusional as to believe that Maldivians will be paupers and orphans if they don’t get his help for medical and educational bills. What many probably don’t realize is that Gasim doesn’t give Mudhalu Zakath to the state – he rather spends that money for medical aid and educational aid to those who seek his help. Mudhalu Zakath is something binding on us. Not something that we give out of our generosity. Hence, since Gasim doesn’t give Mudhalu Zakath directly we can assume that whatever aid he gives to the poor is not something that can be interpreted as his generosity but rather as something that is binding on him. No one should seek popularity for doing something that he is bound to do!

6. Buruma has led Adhaalath party to believe that if he becomes president he would give a free hand to Adhaalath party to reform religious teachings in the country. It would be perhaps folly for Adhaalath party to run after this mirage, hoping that one day Buruma can make Adhaalath party the de facto leaders of the country. It would be perhaps more pragmatic for Adhaalath to grasp what they have right now and continue to work with the current government as they are quite successfully doing now.

7. Of course people such as Umar Naseer, Ibra and (Kutti) Nasheed have presidential ambitions but the top six of Maldivian-presidential-ambitious list are (1) Dr. Hassan Saeed, (2) Gasim, (3) Yamin, (4) Gayyoom, (5) Dr. Waheed, (6) Mohamed Nasheed (Anni). Of the above six, the top four would wish that the current government fails so that they could realize their ambitions sooner.

8. President Nasheed is still scared of Gayyoom and some of his cronies. Nasheed also seems to be scared of some officers within the police and the MNDF. He seems to be waiting to become his own man only after the parliamentary elections in February.

Thanks for removing the MNDF-Bodyguards provided to ex-dictator Gayyoom!

Thanks to President Nasheed for finally coming to his senses! Many Maldivians have noted that the constitution does not allow the government to give security (Bodyguards) to ex-dictator Gayyoom. A bill is currently being debated at the Majlis regarding what services the state has to provide to ex-presidents. Until this bill becomes law, the government cannot legally provide any facilities from the state to ex-president Gayyoom. It is this legality of the action that we have been questioning, not whether any facilities should be provided to Gayyoom.

Now that this MNDF-security has been officially removed, Gayyoom may not even return to the country until the pending bill is passed. I support the provision of some facilities and a pension and some sort of security to all ex-presidents (including Gayyoom). But such services should not go overboard as in the case of the bill submitted by Gayyoom-loyalist-Aneesa.

If (as Gayyoom says) he hasn’t done any harm to the Maldivian people and if (as he says) he hasn’t taken any money from the treasury through bribes or corruption, then he has nothing to fear from the ordinary people. He does not need bodyguards if that is the case. The facts that he still wants to hide behind s security fence shows that he has something to hide!

Once again I welcome the removal of the security services to the ex-dictator and I also welcome the protest that was held against the previous regime a few days ago. We have to make the ex-regime answerable to whatever crimes they may have done. Thousands of people (including senior MPs such as Reeko Moosa and senior government officials such as the State Minister for Home Affairs, Shafeeq) have in the past accuses Gayyoom and his government of crimes against humanity and corruption running into millions of dollars. The least that the government could do is to see if there is any truth to those accusations before we close this 30-year-long-chapter in the life of this nation.

I call upon Reeko Moosa to fulfill his election-promise and dig the skeletons of people from the jail that he accused Gayyoom of murdering. I call upon Special Envoy of the President Ibrahim Hussain Zaki to fulfill his election-promise and bring back the usd 80 million that he accused Gayyoom of plundering from our treasury. I also ask MDP to show us the proof that Gayyoom’s regime covered up the murder of Hussain Solah and Evan Naseem in police custody. Until these cases are properly investigated, we cannot lay the ghosts of a brutal dictatorship to rest.

But the recent protests calling for justice to all, and the removal of the illegal security provided to Gayyoom shows that the government is finally coming to its senses!

Nothing can be worse that being ruled by Gayyoom and his misguided bunch of selfish thugs!

Many of my friends ask often ask me what I think of the new government. They accuse President Nasheed of giving senior positions to questionable characters such as Kerafa Naseem. I agree that there are areas that need rethinking, but I would never swap this regime with the previous regime of Gayyoom. I don’t care even if Anni makes Kerafa Naseem the Minster of Islamic Affairs. Nothing can be worse that being ruled by Gayyoom and his misguided bunch of selfish thugs.

When we ask this question there’s one very important point that we fail to consider. The new government is barely 30 days old. During those 30 days the new government has gone forward in leaps and bounds, but perhaps because of the speed of the changes, or perhaps due to some distractions such as appointing questionable characters to some posts, some of us fail to grasp the enormity of the changes coming to us.

Look at the efforts to decentralize governance. This is something that we have been asking for, but now that it is within our grasp, some of us are being fooled by DRP-sympathizers that this decentralisation is against the constitution and that it will not help our development. First of fall (as far as I understand) no decentralisation work will be done without consulting the Majlis. Some Gayyoom-sympathizers think that the constitution is open for interpretation according to their fancy and their needs.

I agree that some of the appointments to senior positions such as State Ministers are questionable appointments; but I believe that the general momentum and intensions of the new government are excellent. Does anyone realize that the new government has saved nearly 500 million Rufiyaa from the proposed budget for 2009, just on three items (i.e. Presidential Palace, Aarah and President’s Office). If Gayyoom was here, despite the hard financial times, we would have had to bear the responsibility of housing him in Theemuge and spending millions on Aarah and spending many more millions of the President’s Office. Put the corruption of his cronies and the deteriorating drugs crisis on top of that and this country would have been doomed if Gayyoom won the election.

Now that we have rid ourselves of the guy, we are perhaps condemning the new government for relatively minor things. I agree that there are areas that need rethinking, but I would never swap this regime with the previous regime of Gayyoom. I don’t care even if Anni makes Kerafa Naseem the Minster of Islamic Affairs. Nothing can be worse that being ruled by Gayyoom and his misguided bunch of selfish thugs.

Of course we need to comprehensively and effectively address the issue of gang violence. Only a few days ago a young man was slaughtered in broad daylight in Male’. The police haven’t established the motive for the murder, nor caught any suspects but many believe that most of these gang fights and murders are related to drugs and perhaps even prostitution. The new government needs also address the issue of releasing all political prisoners and putting all drug-related criminals into rehab instead of keeping them in jail.

The shortage of dollars in the market also needs to be addressed. Many analysts argue that the government should legislate that all bed-tax and red-rent needs to be paid by the resorts to the government, in us dollars instead of Rufiyaa. They argue that resort operators should also be asked to keep their revenue in local banks for at least 30 days before they could export the foreign currency to a foreign bank. Such steps could solve our drugs crisis and also help our banks and the overall business environment.

My answer to my friends and any other doubters is: give the new government a chance. I’m not saying that we should stop criticizing and start over-praising. But it has to be constructive criticism. This government will be thousand times better than the parasitic regime of Gayyoom. Let’s criticize the government but let’s also be realistic. I agree that there are areas that need rethinking, but I would never swap this regime with the previous regime of Gayyoom. I don’t care even if Anni makes Kerafa Naseem the Minster of Islamic Affairs. Nothing can be worse that being ruled by Gayyoom and his misguided bunch of selfish thugs.

Let’s have more protests against Gayyoom and his cronies!

“We want justice, not revenge,” was the theme as a relatively small but sizeable crowd gathered at the Artificial Beach Friday afternoon to call the government of Mohamed Nasheed to bring former dictator Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom to justice.

It was a peaceful protest of about 200 people. Most were holding placards calling for Gayyoom and his cronies to be brought to justice for the crimes that - the protesters allege - were committed during Gayyoom’s three-decade-long rule. Protesters expressed their dissatisfaction of President Nasheed for his decision to treat the former leader with “dignity and respect”! Referring to the President's statement to exercise calm and humility in time of victory, they were chanting that they have waited enough in humility and that they cannot do so any longer.

Some of the striking statements in the placards held by the protesters - or some of their demands - are summarized below:

1. Reopen the case where Hussain Solah was “murdered” in police custody.

2. Make public the entire report compiled by a committee regarding Evan Naseem’s murder in police custody (in Maafushi Jail).

3. Bring Gayyoom (as head of police at the time) and Adam Zahir (Commissioner of Police at the time) to court regarding the murder of Hussain Solah and Evan Naseem in police custody.

4. Investigate the alleged corruption at the President’s Office during Gayyoom’s rule (which is highlighted in the Auditor General’s report).

5. Investigate the case highlighted by the Auditor General in the audit of the Maldives Customs, wherein the Gayyoom’s running mate and former minister (under Gayyoom), Tasmeen Ali, allegedly evaded paying the import duty of two luxury speed boats.

6. Sack the deputy commissioner of police, Abdullah Riyaz (whom the protesters accused was a crony of Adam Zahir and Gayyoom).

7. Open court cases against Gayyoom, Adam Zahir, Hameed, Isthafa Ibrahim Manik, Anbaree, Ilyas, etc.

8. Open a court case against Anbaree Abdul Sattar (former Minister of State for Defense) for his alleged involvement in the Air Maldives scandal (and possible corruption).

9. Investigate the issue of the usd 80 million which the current Special Envoy to the President (Ibrahim Hussain Zaki) accused Gayyoom of taking from the state treasury.

Most of the protesters were saying that no special treatment should be given by the state to a “murderer and ex-dictator”! The message (I think) is that many Maldivians who detest Gayyoom aren’t actually looking for revenge, but rather they are looking for justice. One placard held by a protester at the gathering summarized this thought: “We want justice, not revenge!”

I believe that it’s the least that the Maldivian people deserve. The government of President Nasheed should respect the views of the people. Though there were just about 200 people at yesterday’s protest, one could expect that more people may attend such gatherings in the future and that the vocal protests calling to bring dictator Gayyoom to justice could gather more pace in the coming days. If the government disregards these protesters that would be seen as a slap in the face of many thousands of people who directly suffered Gayyoom’s brutality and a blatant disregard for a nation who suffered for there decades under the iron fist of Gayyoom and his family and cronies.

I support Friday’s protest and call for more such protests when Gayyoom returns from Hong Kong where he is supposes to be attending some conference organized by the Clinton Global Initiative. The theme of any protests against Gayyoom should be that we are not asking for or seeking revenge, but rather, we are looking for and seeking justice. As I said before, that is the least that the Maldivian people deserve. It is the responsibility of Nasheed’s government to grant the wishes of the majority! There will not be any healing as long as the ghosts of these injustices and brutality roam our streets. Let us lay these ghosts to rest once and for all.

How about Mr. Waheeduddeen as the new Home Minister?

1. Some say that Dr. Hassan Saeed could be appointed as the new Home Minister, after the resignation of Gasim Ibrahim. The justification used by such people is that Dr. Saeed holds a doctorate in Law and he has plenty of experience as an Attorney General in the previous government. But there are those who would be opposed to the idea on the basis that Dr. Saeed served as a Minister in Gayyoom’s regime. But the current Special Envoy of the President, Zaki, was also a Minister under Gayyoom. Dr. Saeed is an important member of the ruling coalition and he now holds the position of Advisor to the President.

2. Even if Dr. Saeed were offered this post, I do not think that he will accept it. There are many reasons why he may shy away from such an appointment. Firstly, as Gasim would testify, being Home Minister during this period would not be easy. It could even be political suicide for someone like Dr. Saeed who still holds presidential ambitions. Besides, he seems to be busy formalizing the registration of his own political party and also campaigning for the parliamentary elections coming up in February.
3. Whoever is appointed as the new Home Minister, that person needs to be mature in age and thinking, and also experienced enough to handle the pressures of the job.

4. It was observed by a few analysts that one reason why Gasim was disillusioned with the government was because he was put out of the loop even in matters that concerned his ministerial jurisdiction. For example Gasim does not seem to be involved in the political efforts for the decentralisation of power to the atolls. President didn’t take the Home Minister with him during the recent tours to Addu Atoll and Fua Mulah – and some say that Gasim wasn’t even consulted before the tour. Attending to affairs of the atolls without involving the atolls minister or meeting foreign dignitaries without involving the foreign minister are the sort of amateurish things that the new government should avoid in the future. The country or the government is not there to be run by just the president and the Special Envoy and the Cabinet Secretary and the Policy Secretary.

5. Though it hasn’t been formally announced, my feeling is that Ibra’s Liberal Party and Gasim’s Jumhooree Party are now disillusioned with the government. Gasim’s party would have now left the coalition if Adhaalth wasn’t in the Jumhooree Alliance. Ibra recently spoke at a public gathering against some policies of the government. Gasim’ cited some irreconcilable differences with the government as the reason for his resignation from the cabinet. These problems may not lead to the collapse of the government but with a parliamentary election coming up in February, MDP and the ruling coalition should know that things could get worse for them if they continue to disregard the current cracks in the coalition.

6. I think it is time that an experienced, mature and well-respected figure is appointed as the new Home Minister. How about Mr. Waheeduddeen of Bandos? (the former Atolls Minister). Being a philanthropist who loves the country, and who has experience as an Atolls Minister, Mr. Deen could be an ideal choice for the job. His role in formulating the decentralisation law also makes him able to handle one of the most important policies of the Home Minsitry at the moment!

I also think that Gasim and the Jumhooree Alliance should be appeased and (if Gasim is willing) Gasim should be given some other position in the government – perhaps as an Advisor to the President. And I would repeat again that it is time that an experienced, mature and well-respected figure is appointed as the new Home Minister. Deen as Home Minsiter? Why not!

Some conspiracy theories and points to ponder about the Reethirah-Fiasco!

Listening to the press briefing given by Home Minister Gasim, to explain his reasons for sending riot police to control the protest by the staff of Reethirah, I noticed the following points:

1. Gasim mentioned the Reethirah-Resort’s owner - Moho’s - name more than seven times in the press briefing! It was obvious that Gasim’s arm was either twisted by Moho or that Moho’s instructions were more important for Gasim than that of the President!!! Why else would Gasim send riot police to remove 10 staff that Moho says were sacked by the resort? He could have sent normal police personnel instead of sending riot police with pepper spray and shields.

2. Asked whether he consulted President Nasheed (who was touring Addu Atoll at the time) before he sent the riot police to the resort, Gasim said that he saw no reason why he had to consult the president on the matter. Some people argue that Gasim could be collaborating with the ex-regime of Gayyoom (and DRP) to discredit the current government of Nasheed. It is because of such collaboration, they argue, that Gasim took the “calculated” decision to send riot police to breakup a legitimate protest by a union of workers.

3. Gasim was also at a loss to explain why the Commissioner of Police (Faseeh) wasn’t present at the press briefing. It has to be noted that the current Police Commissioner (Faseeh) was a loyal supporter of Gayyoom before the change of government and that Faseeh hasn’t done or said anything that would suggest otherwise even after the change of government. So, one could assume that he could still be a Gayyoom supporter. Hence Faseeh could very well make a decision to send riot police to the resort even though any sane person cannot understand why riot police with pepper spray and shields should go to a resort to remove some staff that were protesting to get their rights under the law.

4. The resort management said that ten of those staff was sacked, and Gasim said that he was asked by Moho to remove the sacked staff from the resort. Why the rush from Gasim to grant Moho’s wish without thinking rationally or without consulting the president?

5. It has to be noted that Gasim’s relative (Abdullah Riyaz) is also a high-ranking officer at the Police. One wonders how much he was involved in the decision to send the riot police and to use force to charge, arrest and handcuff some of the protesters.

5. A proper investigation needs to be done to ascertain why the Home Minister didn’t consult the president and to ascertain what role Faseeh and Riyaz played in this.

6. It is obvious to everyone that Gasim has presidential ambitions. He could stand to achieve that ambition if the current government fails. Also, the parliamentary elections are coming up in February and any stains on president Nasheed’s government would reflect badly for MDP in the parliamentary election. Gasim’s Jumhooree Party could stand to gain from such a change of mind from the electorate.

7. If president Nasheed ignores this as a minor hiccup without getting to the bottom of this, then a bigger fiasco could unfold in the future and it may be too late to see what roles Gasim, Faseeh and Riyaz would have played in this current problem. The time is now to get to the bottom of this conundrum.

I totally condemn the use of disproportionate force by the Maldives Police against peaceful demonstrators at Reethirah Resort

I totally condemn the use of disproportionate force by the Maldives Police against peaceful demonstrators at Reethirah Resort last night. The staff at the resort were protesting and demanding that they be granted the rights that are due to them under the newly passed Employment Act. If Bandos Island resort can fully implement this labour law and grant all the rights to the staff, why can’t other resorts such as Reethirah and Villa-Resorts implement this law. The owner of Villa Resorts being the Home Minister, perhaps it is more appropriate that he be the first resort owner to grant the rights to the staff under this law.

It is doubly disappointing that the Maldives Police, which is directly under the orders of Home Minister Gasim (who is the owner of Vila Resorts), has to use force against the protesting staff. Perhaps Gasim approved this in order to please the management of Reethirah Resort. Perhaps he wanted to show that he will fight for the rights of all resort operators.

Gasim is involved in this issue not only on the side of the Maldives Police. Tourism Minister Ali Sawad is also a senior official of Gasim’s Jumhooree Party. Sawad got the tourism portfolio because of Gasim’s insistence so it is obvious that Sawad will follow Gasim’s instructions on this.

It is time for Gasim to show that he cares about the people and that he cares about the rule of law. But I do not support IDP-leader Umar Naseer's opportunistic involvement in this. Though I support the claims of the resort staff to get their rights, Umar and the DRP-gang are trying to create trouble to achieve their political ambitions. So, I call upon the government and the Tourism Minsiter to solve this problem in an amicable way so that opportnists such as Umar do not get any room to exploit.

The law has given certain rights to workers, including those who work at resorts. If Gasim and this government use disproportionate force in order to suppress the rights of people, then what difference does it have with Gayyoom’s regime? It is time for President Nasheed and Tourism Minister Sawad and the Home Minister Gasim to show some leadership and solve this current impasse in the resorts before this thing blows out of proportion!

Joining the ILO, closing the “Thauleemee Fund” and the cost of usd 10 million to deport the illegal immigrants!

New Human Resource Minister Hassan Latheef held a press briefing on Thursday, 27th of November to brief the media on the issue of labour – including the growing problem of expatriate labour. Some of the highlights of this meeting are as follows:

1. Maldives joining the ILO:

Minister Latheef said that the new government has decided to join the International Labour Organization (ILO) by 04th December. This is an important step which the old government of Gayyoom has been procrastinating. This means that the Maldives will be a member of ILO within the next five days. It was revealed that the initial administrative cost of joining the ILO will be a relatively meager amount of about RF 350,000 or about usd 30,000.

2. Impasse between resort employees and the resort operators:

Maldives will get numerous benefits by being a member of ILO. We will get technical help to formulate various regulations regarding employees and we will get the knowhow on how to form and regulate trade unions (which is a very alien thing to us). The ongoing dispute between resort employees and the resort operators is one example of the current problems in the sector. Resort employees demand the full implementation of the labour law by the resorts while the resort operators say that this law is designed for civil servants and is hence not suitable for industries such as tourism and fisheries. If trade unions were functioning properly in the Maldives such disputes could be solved without the level of impasse that is prevailing currently.

3. Close the corrupt “Thauleemee Fund”

Joining the ILO would also provide us technical help in running pensions funds and social security funds. This would make the existing funds such as the “Provident Fund” more profitable to the employers and the employees. On this note it has to be pointed out that there are very inefficient and corrupt funds such as “Thauleeemee Fund” (Education Fund) which is operated by the Ministry of Education. This fund has many plots of land and buildings which they rent out and earn a significant amount of money. Employees of the education sector are supposed to get loans from this fund but it is often used as a political tool by the heads of the education ministry to make political rewards. Hence I call upon the new government to take all this land back to the state and close this corrupt fund called the “Thauleeemee Fund”!

4. It will cost the government a staggering usd 10 Million to catch the 20,000 illegal expatriate laborers:

The government estimates that there are about 20,000 illegal expatriate laborers who are in hiding or on the run. At an estimated cost of about usd 500 per head, this will cost the government a staggering usd 10 Million to catch, detain and subsequently deport these 20,000 people. The biggest problem, said Minister Latheef, is to find proper accommodation to detain such illegal immigrants who are caught. The new Controller of Immigration and Emigration recently suggested to me that it could be better to bring the immigration problem of the expatriates under his department. Perhaps this is something that can be worked out between the Human Resource Ministry and the Controller of Immigration and Emigration.

Managing Director, Mayor, Governor of State!

It was nice to see the Vice President come out of the shell (or rather given the opportunity to come out of the shell) a few times over the last couple of days. In one such outing, VP Waheed was sitting with Waheeduddeen at a press briefing at the President’s Office today. The press briefing was regarding the government’s policy on decentralisation or local governance. Waheeduddeen was there due to the fact that it was during his time as the Atolls Minister during Gayyoom’s regime that the idea of local governance first came to the public fold.

I fully support the quick implementation of this policy and give 100% support to the whole idea. I hope that the Parliament (Majlis) will give full approval and backing to the government in the implementation of this policy. I would like to mention some pointers that we can ponder regarding this policy.

1. Could we give a corporate title such as “Managing Director” to the Island Katheeb?

Each island will of course have an Island Council. The members of this Council will be elected by the people of the island. The members can then vote amongst themselves to elect a head of the Council. This person will in effect be the head or the “Katheeb” of the island. Will we call him the “Katheeb” or could we give a corporate title such as “Managing Director”? Since the basis of all development is economics, it could very well have a positive effect if we give such a corporate title to the “Katheeb”! Now if we follow this idea, we could have an “Island Council” in each island and every island would have a “Managing Director”!

2. Could we change the Atoll Chief’s title to “Mayor”?

Now all these Managing Directors could automatically sit as elected members of the Atoll Council. A head of this Atoll Council would be elected by the members of the Council. This “head” of the Atoll Council would in effect be the Atoll Chief. Could we then change the Atoll Chief’s title as “Mayor”?

3. Could we call the “Provincial Minister” in each region the “Governor” of the region?

Since the country will be divided into seven regions for local governance, there will be two or more atolls in each region. The region would be run by a Regional Council. The heads of all Atoll Councils could automatically sit on the Regional Council as elected members. The members of this Regional Council could then vote amongst themselves and elect a head of this Council. This person will report direct to the “Provincial Minister”. Could we call the “Provincial Minister” in each region the “Governor” of the region?

4. Each provincial region could be addressed as a separate “State”!
Now, if we call each head of the region, the “Governor”, then we could address each region as a “State”! Hence, the country will have seven States and each state will have a Governor, and every atoll would have a Mayor and each island would have a Managing Director!

Where has the Governor of the Central Bank (MMA) gone?

At a time of international fiscal turmoil and at a time when the Maldives is facing difficult economic times, it is surprising that Governor of our Central Bank (MMA) is missing. Fazeel Najeeb (a close ally of Yamin Gayyoom) was appointed as the Governor of MMA during the last few weeks of Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom’s presidency.

I believe that Fazeel, who lives and studies in the UK, has not come to the country since his appointment to the post. While a new budget is being debated and while such drastic changes are coming to our fiscal system, it is shocking that no one is talking about the Governor of MMA. Where is he? Is the new government planning to ask the Majlis to appoint a new governor? If so, why isn’t anyone talking about it?

The Aarah factor in the new budget!?

One striking point in the new budget is that there is no allocation for the presidential retreat (Aarah). This is a stark indication that the new government does not plan to use the island as a retreat for the president. Though the government has not made any announcements on what their policy will be regarding the presidential retreat, there is speculation that the island would be rented out as a luxury tourist resort for the mega rich billionaires.

The fact that not even one Rufiyaa has been allocated for Aarah in the 2009 budget shows that President Nasheed is serious about cutting wasteful costs and that he will close down Aarah as a presidential retreat and find a better and more profitable use for the island which is very close to the capital Male.

How much do we have in our Foreign Currency Reserve?

1. Speaking at the Parliament, to present the new budget, the Finance Minister has revealed that the Foreign Currency reserve of the country has come down by usd 50 million over the past one year. The reserve at present is usd 259 Million. At internationally accepted standards, for a country of our size, the foreign currency reserve should be at least usd 400 million. But, given the international financial meltdown at present, it is unlikely that we can reach this level of reserve in the next two or three years.

2. In fact the government estimates that by the end of 2009 the reserve in our Treasury (MMA) would be usd 241 Million. This is usd 18 Million less than the current reserve. Hence, unless there is surprising turnaround in international finances we are bound to experience financial restrictions in achieving the ambitious developmental targets of the new government.

3. It has to be said that Nasheed’s government has cut wastefulness and cut government and state expenditure drastically. This is reflected in the proposed budget for 2009, which is Rf 7 Billion less than the budget for this year. Nasheed has cut down on the number of Ministers and their salaries and closed down some wasteful or unnecessary offices such as the “Maldives Government Office” in Singapore. The budget for the President’s Office and the Presidential Palace is also proposed to be drastically lower for 2009, compared to the budgets for this year.

Where is the Vice President?

Since the election of Nasheed as President we have barely heard Vice President Dr. Waheed talk (even at a small press conference). Dr. Waheed is often seen standing behind Nasheed (like a poodle) when Nasheed conducts certain ceremonies. What we are seeing is Ibrahim Hussain Zaki (the Special Envoy of the President) taking a more central stage.

Zaki is seen to be playing the role of the Vice President and the real Vice President is seen to be a personal assistant to the President (more like a secretary). I would bet my humble possessions that Zaki is more powerful in the government than the Vice President.

I respect Zaki and I appreciate the role he played in maintaining the strength of MDP during hard times too. But I think it will be folly for President Nasheed to listen to Zaki’s every word as if that’s a revelation! Zaki is a relic from Gayyoom’s old regime, and despite whatever good that he may have done, we will never be able to cut ourselves from the past and soar to new heights as long as we are anchored to the past by people such as Ibrahim Hussain Zaki.

I don’t mind Zaki being in the government but I would like to see Dr. Waheed play a more apparent and effective role in the policy formulation and interact more with the people. I would also like to see Nasheed become more a man of his own rather than feel anchored by “personalities” such as Zaki, Gasim and even Mausoom!

Employment Act: A “Nightmare” for some Maldivian staff?

1. The ad hock strikes by some resort staff!

One reader commented: “About the resorts implementing the law, it’s a nightmare! Those who have implemented have cut down on food costs for staffs. I think this employment act is designed for civil servants. There are some things that you just cannot implement in an industry like tourism, fisheries etc. We need to amend the law.”

Many Maldivian staff in the tourist resorts are obviously unhappy with the design and the implementation of the Employment Act (Law). In some resorts Sri Lankans or Indians seem to be better treated than the Maldivians. It is humiliating for some to be terated worse than foreigners in their own country!

There have been ad hock strikes by some staff at resorts such as Manfaru. These staff claims that many resorts are still not implementing the recently passed labour law. Staff claims that many resorts still do not grant staff the rights that the labour law allows them to get.

This is something that the new tourism Minister and the President should look into. Just because some major resort operators are in the government does not mean that the government could turn a blind eye to this simmering crisis.

2. Would this cutting of import duties apply to all medicine, including over-the-counter medicine such as Penadol?

President Nasheed, at a press conference on 24th November, announced that his government would soon cut import duties diesel and medicine and some food items. This is something that as expected. What I would like to clarify is whether this cutting of import duties would apply to all medicine, including over-the-counter medicine such as Penadol too? I think import duty should be cut for all medicine, including over-the-counter medicine such as Penadol and even food supplements such as Vitamin-C and multi Vitamins too.

3. Import duty would be waived for which food items?

President Nasheed said that import duty would be waived for some food items? My question is what items would that be? I would like to see the duty remain for unhealthy (junk) food and that the duty be waived for all healthy and essential food such as vegetables, fruits, rice, flour, sugar, cooking oil, etc.

Nasiriyya Park, Nasir Gulzar, Velaanaa Building for Nasir (and a post for Ismail Nasir)!

As a nation we collectively betrayed President Nasir. Former President Gayyoom was the one who vilified and mocked Nasir. He misled us into doing this cruel act. When the new government of Nasheed got the chance to repair some of the damage, the government showed courage and humbleness in offering Nasir a state funeral. Following are some points that we can ponder after this sad goodbye to a national hero.

1. Rename the Sultan Park as “Nasiriyya Park”!

Remove the boundary wall of Sultan Park, landscape the park and make it a central park with free access to people. This is an area frequented by tourists with close proximity to the new National Museum as well. Also include at least one newspaper-stand which sells magazines, light snacks and soft drinks in the park. We can then rename the park as “Nasiriyya Park”!

2. Rename the park where Nasir is buried as “Nasir Gulzar”!

President Nasir is buried inside the small park at the eastern end of the old Friday Mosque (Hukuru Miskth). It would be most appropriate to name this small park as “Nasir Gulzar”!

3. Name the office building being built at Velaanaage as “Velaanaa Building”!

Velaanaage is ex-president Nasir’s own house. But Gayyoom virtually banished Nasir from the country in 1978. Nasir had to spend the last 30 years of his life in exile, in Singapore. During this period Gayyoom confiscated Nasir’s house (Velaanaage) and is now building an office block at the site. The 15-storey office block being built at Velaanaage can now be renamed, most appropriately, as “Velaanaa Building”.

4. Offer a post to Nasir’s youngest son – Ismail Nasir!

Ismail Nasir (Nasir’s youngest son) is the one who accompanied Nasir and took most care of him, especially during the last years of his life. For this reason, and also to keep Nasir’s name in the service of this motherland, I would suggest that the new government should offer some kind of post to Nasir’s family – specifically to Ismail Nasir. Ismail Nasir may not live here so this post could be perhaps served in a foreign country. I would suggest that Ismail Nasir could be made the Maldives Government Ambassador to Singapore. If that’s not appropriate then he could be made “Special Advisor to the President (on foreign investment and trade)” who resides in Singapore!

I think it will be most appropriate that Nasir be buried at Medhu Ziyaarai!!! (and the wake should be held at Theemuge)

Look at the way the destiny works! While a despot (Gayyoom) who has ruled for over 30-years was in his full power, a “small” activist (Nasheed) came and dethroned him. Now, dictator Gayyoom’s political foe (former president Nasir) passes away after a long-standing illness – as if he was waiting to pass away only after witnessing the fall of Gayyoom’s dictatorial regime.

To add icing to this cake, Nasir’s lifeless body is being brought from Singapore (where he has been in exile for the past 30 years), to be buried here after a full state funeral. Now ex-dictator Gayyoom has the nerve to say on Dhi-FM radio that Nasir was a great statesman. If Gayyoom regarded Nasir so highly why did he encourage a whole nation to mock and vilify him?

At this time of mourning, I would like to humbly request that Nasir should not be buried at Aasaharaa-Cemetery. I think it will be most appropriate that he be buried at Medhu Ziyaarai. If this isn’t appropriate for some, then at least bury Nasir in Hukuru Miskyth. It will also be most appropriate if the wake (Moonudhekkun) were held at Theemuge (the "araamuhaanaa" of ex-dictator Gayyoom!

President Nasheed in the Fish Market, Local Market, A Common House, Dhoonidhoo Jail, Rehab, Hulhumale and Villimale!

1. It will be nice if one day, without prior notice, President Nasheed visits the fish market in the afternoon. He meets the fishermen who are there. Chats with them regarding any ideas that they may have, which could improve their vocation and trade. Nasheed could encourage the fishermen and vendors to work hard and tell them some promising news about any policy changes that could help the fisheries sector.

2. It would also be nice if one day, without prior notice, President Nasheed visits the local market and chats to the vendors who sell locally produced agricultural and fisheries goods at the local market. The President could tell them about the government’s plans in the construction of the new building for the local market. Nasheed could encourage the farmers and vendors to work hard and tell them some promising news about any policy changes that could help the agricultural sector. Media (television, radio, newspapers, etc.) could be invited for both these visits. It will be a nice PR exercise as well as good encouragement for the fishermen and farmers.

3. It would be a pleasant surprise if President Nasheed visits a cramped household in Male and meet the residents of the house – and explain to them that his government is working on improving the housing conditions and tell them more about the 25,000 houses that the Chinese government has promised to build in the country. Media would be given an opportunity, during this visit, to question the President regarding his housing policy and the media could also question the residents of the house. The Housing Minister could accompany the President during this visit.

4. A government delegation, including the President and the Defense Minister and the Home Minister could visit the Dhoonidhoo jail. Media would be invited too. A small ceremony would be held. At this ceremony, the President would announce that all political prisoners, including (Sagaru) Luthfee and (Sagaru) Nasir, would be given a presidential pardon. It will also be announced that from that very moment the Dhoonidhoo jail would be closed and that the island would be used as a resort for locals. Due to its history as a jail for political prisoners and dissidents, Dhoonidhoo jail has been a notorious torture chamber over the past decades. By closing the jail and freeing the remaining political prisoners, President Nasheed would be opening a new era of unity and trust.

5. It would also be nice if President Nasheed visits the drug-rehabilitation centre at Himmafushi, unannounced, and meet the patients and staff there. He could chat with the patients and encourage them. He could tell the staff about the government’s new policies on drugs and rehabilitation.

6. It would also be nice if President Nasheed would arrive at the Hulhumale Ferry Terminal, unannounced, take a ferry dhoni to Hulhumale, visit the Hulhumale Development Unit and some of the selected households there and chat to the residents. He could chat to the people about the housing policies of the new government and also about the transport network that the government is trying to build between the islands.

7. The same (as in point six above) could be done for VilliMale. The President and his delegation could visit VilliMale (by a VilliMale Ferry Dhoni) unannounced and the media would be given the opportunity to cover the visit.