Anni declares that the Atolls Ministry would be abolished

In a speech delivered at Thaa Atoll Kinbidhoo Island, on 30th Mar, MDP-primaries contestant, Mohamed Nasheed said that if he is elected president, he would abolish the current “Atolls Ministry”. Many political analysts describe the current setup of “Atolls Ministry” as a divisive and unnecessary bureaucracy. The Home Ministry could do the work of the Atolls Ministry and Gayyoom and his predecessors have used the Atolls Ministry as a strong political tool. We welcome Anni’s declaration and strongly support that. We also call upon Dr. Munavvar and Dr. Hassan Saeed and Ibra and other presidential hopefuls to make their views known about the abolition of the Atolls Ministry.

Calling for a ban on smoking in public places in the Maldives

Here’s something that we, the Maldivians, can draw a great lesson from. Since smoking was banned in public places in New York, five years ago, more than quarter of a million people in the city have stopped smoking, according to recently released statistics. This has also dramatically reduces the number of people dying from smoking-related illnesses. If we ban smoking in public places in the Maldives we could indeed dramatically reduce the number of smokers and reduce the number of people dying from smoking-related illnesses. This could save us million of Rufiyaa in reduced imports of cigarettes and also save us millions of Rufiyaa in healthcare for smoking-related illnesses. The savings would be used by the state for investing in social infrastructure and the individual savings could be used by the individuals as pure savings. The improved health could mean more productivity.
Hence we call upon the next (democratic) government to ban smoking in public places and achieve the above-mentioned benefits for the country.

Bushry and Dr. Munavvar and Shaheen Hameed’s interview on Washington Post (2002): The question of democracy

Of all the changes taking place in the Maldives, the nation’s system of government is one of the most controversial. Many Maldivians are demanding greater democratic rights, and the government is faced with the challenge of making a smooth transition into a modern democratic state………………
Attorney General Mohamed Munavvar, who helped draft the country’s new constitution, adopted in 1997 cautions, “the legal and judicial sectors have not been able to keep pace with the rapid economic development and we have come to a point where further economic development and growth are not possible without rapid and substantial legal and judicial reform.”………………………..
Shaaheen Hameed, son of the Speaker and nephew to the President, is also a barrister at the private law firm Premier Chambers and Vice Chairman of the Law Commission. He also helped draft the country’s new constitution, but does not approve of it. He says that it is, if anything, more restrictive than the last. “It is much more detailed, but it hasn’t really changed much,” he explains. “It has not given us what we were looking forward to, which is greater transparency, greater democracy and more due process and rule of law.” ……………….
Attorney General Munavvar, also a Member of Parliament, claims that a multi-party system would necessitate a constitutional amendment. “The Electoral Commission must be independent, and so must the Elections Commissioner - in such a system one must ensure that they can only be appointed with the consent of Parliament.” He says change is possible with the present system: “If we have the present constitution and political parties, we are finished.”………………..
Shaaheen Hameed says that although legal representation is a constitutional right, in his experience the courts have not allowed defendants due process in cases that were evidently political, pointing to the example of Mohamed Nasheed, a former MP who was charged with theft. “I tried to represent him, not because of his theories and what he believes in, but because I believe in justice.” But Hameed was not allowed to. “I wanted to be able to represent, to defend, to let the defense side be heard. But Nasheed had to defend himself and he was convicted.”
Shaaheen Hameed adds that the restrictions of the system have caused less political involvement on the part of ordinary people: “As long you don't get involved in any political matter or try to establish your rights too much, you can live very happily here. People have kept away from any political involvement because they want to continue their business.”………………………….
But Shaaheen Hameed disagrees about the freedom of voting in Parliament. “I have seen Parliament at work from the inside,” he says. “I would not like to go in there as a member the way it runs. It does not work as a Parliament. It legislates, but it legislates what the government wants it to legislate on.”…………………….
According to Mohamed Bushry, editor of the English weekly magazine the Monday Times, Maldivians who disagree with the Government have an easier time than they used to. “The fear has receded in terms of talking to friends in tea shops: people can now talk, even be critical of the President or the system.” But, he says, that freedom has not translated into the media. “Radio and TV stations are government-owned, and the three newspapers are linked to government officials, people who may have some conflict of interest.”
Bushry says that the media have been nervous about using any freedom they have been offered. “It is like a wall, you have to keep pushing it and then slowly it will move. Until then the authorities will be in their comfort zone.” He adds that although the constitution and regulations theoretically provide complete freedom of expression, “somehow, for some reason, this does not translate into practice. Unfortunately, we were not colonized, so we don’t have a judicial system to protect us if we do express our thoughts.”………………………..
Bushry maintains that dissent is as important for the government as it is for the people. “I am not satisfied at all with the status quo. I would like there to be more freedom of expression, for the country, the people, the system to open up to all kinds of ideas, not to be rigid and try to censor. Every idea you hear may not be right, but you should listen to it at least.”
He says he is wary of publishing politically sensitive material in his magazine. “If somebody wanted to write a pro-political party article we would be reluctant, our judgment would tell us it would not be wise. We practice self-censorship…for the continuity of our business.” ………………….
According to Munavvar, in an age of widespread education, political change may turn out to be a tool for peace. “There will be people's demands, and they must be met. If not, then there is going to be social conflict in the country.” The government may not be ready for fully democratic processes, but if Munavvar is right, it may have to end up embracing change with open arms…………..
For more details pls visit http://www.internationalreports.net/asiapacific/maldives/2002/thequestion.html

Can Air Maldives or Island Aviations forge a partnership with Emirates?

Air Maldives Ltd, the national Maldivian carrier which went bankrupt seven years ago, has filed and served a defense and counterclaim for the sum of US$43 million against the Malaysian Airline System over a management agreement signed in 1996. The AG’s Office is reported to have said that the counterclaim was filed because the Malaysian Airlines had failed to perform its duties under the agreement signed in 1996. Malaysian Airlines had last August filed an affidavit in the Malaysian Court against Air Maldives, claiming US$35 million.
While this tit-for-tat legal battle is going on, the love-relationship between Srilankan Airlines and Emirates has come to an unexpected close. The UL/EK Code Share flights would hence be terminated effective 31st March 08 and the last code share flights will be on 29th March 08.
Some commentators say that this is a good opportunity for Air Maldives to end its legal row with Malaysian Airlines and come out of bankruptcy and join forces with Emirates to forge a truly international airline in the Maldives. But other commentators say that this would not be possible as long as Gayyoom is in power, and as long as Bandhu Saleem is at the helm of Island Aviations.

Is it justifiable to reclaim the lagoon and build a resort near Kaashidhoo Island?

It was almost out of the blues that the Tourism Ministry opened the opportunity for parties interested in developing a resort over an area of Kaafu atoll Kaashidhoo’s lagoon. This is the first time that a resort will be developed in Maldives after land reclamation of an island’s lagoon.The logic behind the proposal is that the isolated island of Kaashidhoo would benefit economically from such a venture. Tourism Minister Dr. Shauqee has been reported to have said that it is a good idea to use the lagoons of the country as an economic asset instead of just focusing on the islands. This maybe true fro some isolated islands such as Kaashidhoo but it makes little sense to spend millions of Rufiyaa to reclaim land when we have hundreds of natural and uninhabited islands available for investment. Besides, reclaiming could have environmental impact as well. But in the case of Kaashidhoo this is probably justifiable. The 276.7 hectare lagoon of Kaashidhoo Island is nearly as large as the island itself.Despite some reservations, we have to say that this is another example of innovative ideas in economic development. Credit to Dr. Shauqee and his team.

Drugs and gangs and a failing government!

In a random raid on a house in Male, the police recently discovered narcotic drugs of nearly fourteen kg (with an estimated street value of more than four million us dollars). It is said that the police were actually raiding the house in their search for a suspect involved in the recent gang attacks. One can only imagine how many more such households can be found in this beehive called “Male” where narcotic drug trade (and abuse) is thriving. Ordinary people are scared of these drug cartels and gangsters. Families are being ruined, with at least one user or dealer in almost every household. One NGO recently estimated that the drug users in this country are spending about one million us dollars every day to buy their shots. That’s us dollars 30 million per month. In a speech on Friday night, opposition leader Dr. Munavvar said that the country is spending an estimated twelve million us dollars per month to pay for the expatriate workers. Now compare these two figures. We are spending more than double that amount to “import” narcotic drugs! If the government is sincere they can control this mushrooming drug problem within a matter of months but this is interlinked to politics and the government is milking he situation to their benefit in this election-year. The country and our youth are being sacrificed for the benefit of a corrupt regime!

Government cashes in another USD 15 Million at the people’s expense!

On March 2008, with the “excuse” to help the Tsunami victims, the government has borrowed another USD 15 million from the Saudi fund. This loan has a grace period of three years and has to be repaid within 10 years at an interest of three percent. Basically very little has been done for the Tsunami victims after all these years. Whatever that has been done, mostly it has been help from international organizations and NGOs. Despite this bleak record, the government is again borrowing more money from the Saudi Fund, with the excuse to help Tsunami victims. But we all know what the money is really for! It will be to increase the campaign coffers of DRP an Gayyoom. They will use this money mostly to “buy” votes to help reelect the dictator to an unprecedented 7th term as President.
The government is taking millions of dollars in advance (for 10 years in some cases) from resort developers. They are using the income of the future generations to finance their campaign of a corrupt dictator. And they are borrowing money from various international organizations. These loans to be repaid to Saudi Fund and various other bodies would eventually have to be repaid by the future generations. Gayyoom has taken the current generations for a slimy ride of 30 years, and he is now taking the future generations for a poverty-stricken-ride too. Oh Allah! When will we be saved from this brutal and heartless man?

Regulating all shops to close at 9.00 pm

As per government regulations, the shops in Male are to close at 11.00pm. Over the past years there has been a debate as to the pros and cons of this regulation. Some argue that the shops should close earlier (perhaps at 9.00pm, so that staff could spend some time with their families. Many staff who work at shops start their work at about 9.00 in the morning and goes on until 11.00 at night. They only get few minutes off during prayer time (just enough to pray or have lunch). This restricts the amount of quality time that they could get with their families. It would help boost family relations and improve the social fabric of the nation if we regulate the shops to be closed at latest 9.00pm/
I too operate a shop in Male and would love to close the shop at 9.00pm, but if I do it unilaterally then I stand to lose business. If it is regulated and if all shops close at 9.00pm then I would be very willing and happy to do that. This may appear to be a relatively small matter to the politicians but it can have a big social impact.
For those businessmen who are worried that this could reduce their sales, I would like to say that when all shops close at that time then we would all be in the same boat and the customers would change their shopping habits accordingly.

Go Adduans! Don’t wait for Gayyoom to help you disjoin Herethere

Under instructions from Maumoon, his slave, Ahmed Abdullah, is desperately trying to blackmail the people of Addu, in the matter of removing the causeway between Herethere-Resort and Hulhudhoo. MTDC, the para-statal authority responsible for the development of the resort says that removing the causeway would stop the growth of unwanted seaweed in the parts of the resort’s lagoon. The Environment Ministry, which has to authorize such a breaking of the causeway, disputes the claims of MTDC, and wants to delay the process, with ridiculous bureaucracy.
This is an issue directly related to the economic lifeline of the biggest atoll in the country. Gayyoom has lied to the Addu people for nearly quarter of a century about building a resort in the atoll. After 25 years - with much help from Dr. Shauqee, Damas Solih, Champaa and Waddey – the people of Addu has a resort. Now Gayyoom and his Environment Minister (who, by the way, probably can’t even spell the word “environment”), is issuing technical reports, filled with jargon, basically saying that the regime would allow the breaking of the causeway only if the people of Addu vote for Gayyoom’s party in the upcoming presidential election.
Adduans should not allow Gayyoom and his illiterate Environment Minister to blackmail them this way. They should pick their spades and other tools and gather at Hulhudhoo Island and remove the causeway themselves.
Gayyoom lives in his small and isolated pond and he probably thinks that if we disjoin Hulhudhoo and Herethere, the sea level would rise immediately and the Indian subcontinent would be flooded. He thinks that by preventing Maldivians from importing a few grammes of CFC (in a few dozens of refrigerators) he can “save” the planet. By following Gayyoom’s ridiculous environment policies this small nation is suffering economically. What does it matter to the world environment if we import a few fridges or reclaim some island or break a causeway?
The only thing that Gayyoom’s environmental scaremongering (about sea level rise) has done is stop international investors from investing in Maldives (a “sinking” country). I call upon the opposition presidential candidates to put all this environmental gibberish of Gayyoom in the dustbin when they come to power. It something he has used to attract attention to himself and it hasn’t served any purpose to us Maldivian.
So, dear Adduans, if you want to see Herethere resort (and consequently the whole atoll) prosper; don’t wait for Gayyoom and his so-called Environment Minister to approve the removing of the causeway between the two islands. Just pick your tools and gather at the site and do it yourself. If he wants to fine, then he can fine me for instigating you, and his bureaucratic slaves could fine you (the whole people of Addu) for “starting the sea-level rise”.

Having 15 Atolls instead of 20 Atolls!

The people of Maldives should live in approximately 200 islands, over fifteen atolls. I would encourage uniting Haa-Atoll as one administrative unit and similarly unite Alif Atoll as one administrative unit. I would also encourage uniting Huvadhoo atoll as one administrative unit and also the union of Fua Mulah and Addu Atoll as one administrate unit.
This would let us save millions of Rufiya in recurrent costs – whereby we would have 15 Atoll Offices and 15 Atoll Chiefs instead of 20 Atoll Offices and 20 Atoll Chiefs. This would also cut bureaucracy – and even more importantly this would unite the peoples of Haa Atoll and Alifu Atoll and Huvadhoo Atoll and Fua-Mulah and Addu Atoll.

Abolishing Ward-Offices in Male and other islands!

We need to change small and bigger policies in order to create a mindset that would aid unification instead of division. The presence of two or four wards (Avashu) in many islands is also a divisive thing. All wards in all islands (including Male) need to be abolished. We would then have no need for ward offices which is an unnecessary bureaucracy and wasteful expenditure.
Instead of having wards, the people in each island should unite as one people. The unit is not the “ward”, but the “island”. For example, the people of Male should unite as one unit instead of belonging to Henveiru or Maafannu or some other ward.
The divisive Jamiyya’s and organizations setup in some rural islands, under encouragement from Abdullah Hameed’s divisive regime should be slowly dismantled.

Keeping Gulhi-Falhu Project on the backburner and prioritizing the Transshipment harbor in Haa-Alif Atoll.

Male is a small island with a total area of approximately one square mile. It is densely populated with an estimated population of nearly one hundred thousand people congested within that square mile. The government’s economic policies contradict its professed policy of decentralization. The development of Male-Villingilli and building mega projects such as Hulhumale and Gulhee-Falhu in such close proximity to the capital island will aggravate the congestion and further centralization of the population towards Male.
We need to pay priority to develop the transshipment harbor in Haa-Alif atoll and keep the Gulhi-Falhu project on the backburner for the time being. The country and our fragile economy cannot handle the overheating that will result from the simultaneous implementation of mega projects all over the country without much planning.

Relocate all cemeteries in Male

Despite the fact that land in Male is limited, it has five major cemeteries. These five plots of land could be used for much better purpose if we could relocate the cemeteries to Thilafushi or Hulhumale. Under advice and guidance from the Islamic Majlis, we could devise a project to meticulously relocate all remains of the deceased from these five cemeteries. These five plots of land could then be used for housing and various other economic and social projects. We can plan and develop one cemetery in Hulhumale or Thilafushi that would be able to cater for the greater area of Male (including Male, Villingilli, Hulhumale, etc.) for the next 22 years (until 2030).