Gasim should withdraw his name from the race and form a coalition with either MDP or Dr. Hassan in order to save himself from Yamin Gayyoom!

If Jumhooree Party’s presidential candidate Gasim Ibrahim had any sense of the reality, he would realize that his party has no chance of winning the presidential election in the first round of voting. Gasim should know that if the voting goes for a second round he would either be out of the top two and hence out of contention, or even if he goes for the second round he would most likely lose. I believe that Gasim’s priority now should not be winning the presidency for himself but to overcome the immense risk to his multimillion dollar business posed by the appointment of his old-foe (Yamin) as the Minister of Tourism.

It is common knowledge that Yamin considers Gasim to be his enemy number one. Hence, as Minister of Tourism, Yamin could make life difficult for Gasim in three areas. Namely, the MTDC-share issue, and the issue of the undeveloped resort islands that Gasim has. As Tourism and Aviations Minister, Yamin could also make tough regulations to squeeze Gasim’s airline, TMA. It is rumoured that Yamin could ask all undeveloped resort islands to pay liquidation damages to the state, for not opening the island resorts on the due dates. This could run up to millions of dollars for Gasim since he has about five islands that are under construction.

The appointment of Yamin as Tourism Minister at this transitional period, when the election is only about a week away, shows that Gayyoom is not about to let go of his hold on power that easily. Yamin could very well be the last and strongest card that Gayyoom has played in this political crisis.

All this shows that the best thing that Gasim can do for the nation, and for himself too, would be to withdraw form the presidential race and form a coalition with either MDP or Dr. Hassan Saeed. If Gasim and his Jumhooree Party forms a coalition with either of the above two candidates, it is very likely that such a coalition would win the election. Under such a coalition, it would be either Dr. Hassan or Anni who would run as the coalition candidate. Under the coalition agreement, Jumhooree Party would of course get assurances for a certain share of appointments for the Cabinet and other senior government posts.

Such a coalition between Gasim and either Anni or Hassan could be a godsend for the reform movement which seeks to dislodge Gayyoom’s 30-year-old grip on power. It would be folly and the biggest mistake of his life if Gasim runs for presidency as he is doing now. By doing so he is increasing Gayyoom’s chances of winning. If Gayyoom and Yamin win the election Gasim may as well sell his properties and migrate to a foreign country. If Gasim and his Jumhooree Party has any sense they will use this advise and form such a coalition for the sake of the nation and the people – and perhaps more importantly for Gasim himself!

A Challenge to Adaalath Party (and Gasim’s Jumhooree Party)!

It’s commendable that a number of Maldivian Islamic scholars have got together in exposing the secular and anti-Islamic statements and policies of Gayyoom. Adhaalath Party is organizing and spearheading these actions to expose the apparent hypocrisy of Gayyoom with regards to wearing the buruga (veil) and the implementation of the death penalty and so on. Despite these apparently “Islamic” statements of Adhaalath Party, there are some very important questions that we should ask “Adhaalath” and the “Jumhooree” Alliance!

If Gasim Ibrahim (the candidate that Adhaalath Party is backing) wins the election:-
1. Will they make it compulsory for all Maldivian women to wear the buruqa (veil)?
2. Will they implement the death penalty?
3. Will they cut the hands of thieves as per the Sharia?
4. Will they stone the fornicators as per the Sharia?
5. Will they ban the importing and sale of alcoholic drinks?
6. Will they ban bank interest (ribaa)?

These are just some of the many issues that Adaalath Party is raising against Gayyoom! Adhaalath say that Gayyoom’s wife doesn’t wear the veil and that Gayyoom speaks against the wearing of the veil. But, the big question is if Adhaalath comes to power will they make it compulsory for all Maldivian women to wear the buruqa (veil)? If they refuse to say so, then we can assume that Adaalath is also using Islam as a tool to attack their opponents politically.

Adhaalath say that Gayyoom speaks against the implementation of the death penalty (Gisaas). But, the big question is if Adhaalath comes to power will they implement the death penalty? If they refuse to say so, then we can assume that Adaalath is also using Islam as a tool to attack their opponents politically.

Adhaalath say that Gayyoom spoke against the sale of alcohol before he became president and that his words and actions changed when he became president! If so, will Adhaalath Party stand by their claim and ban the import and sale of alcohol to this country if their candidate comes to power! Will they implement Sharia and ban bank interest (ribaa) and ban the importing and sale of alcohol and stone the fornicators and cut the hands of thieves. If they refuse to say so, then we can assume that Adaalath is also using Islam as a tool to attack their opponents politically.

Adhaalath is backing the biggest ribaa taker in the country! Adhaalath is backing the biggest seller of alcohol in the country! I don’t know if they are backing any thieves whose hands should be cut, or if they are backing any fornicators who should be flogged and stoned; but I'm willing to make a bet that none of the above issues with regards to the wearing of the buruqa or the selling of alcohol will change even if Gasim and Adhaalath comes to power. Politicians are mostly just hypocrites and the best thing that they can do is to stop using Islam as a tool. Just keep their mouths shut. The more they open it the more they get exposed. This is true for Adhaalath just as it is true for Gayyoom! If they disagree with the views here, I challenge Adhaalath Party to issue a statement confirming that they will implement the six points stated above.

Which candidate will “Bushry” endorse?

When the deadline for application to the presidential election expired, six candidates had applied for the election. Those six are:
1. Mohamed Nasheed (Anni)
2. Dr. Hassan Saeed
3. Gasim Ibrahim (Buruma)
4. Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra)
5. Umar Naseer
6. Maumoon Gayyoom.

Of these six candidates, no sane person would vote for Gayyoom. The old dictator has been in power for nearly 30 years. The fact that the Auditor General has recently recommended to the Parliament, to liquidate MTDC, is just one small example of the scale of corruption and mismanagement in the wily old dictator’s 30-year-old regime. Another reason that we should not vote for Gayyoom is his blatant lying on TVM’s “Siyaasath” programme recently. Not only did he lie, he made statements that showed his contempt and disregard for Islamic Sharia. I would go as far as to say that anyone who votes for Gayyoom would be doing so as a challenge to Allah and His religion.

Anyone who loves this country of ours, or who loves the religion of Islam would refrain from voting for Gayyoom.

Umar Naseer and Ibrahim Ismail are two candidates who can make some very good contributions to a future government, but they cannot be described as serious challengers in the election itself. I would suggest that the eventual winner of the lection should make use of potential leaders such as Ibra and Umar in the future.

The fourth candidate, Buruma Gasim, would be a dangerous choice. Anyone who controls private television channels and radio stations and who does business in virtually all areas would have conflict of interests. If one listens to resignation speech of Thoyyib, who resigned from Gasim’s Villa TV recently, one can imagine the dangers of electing Gasim as a president of this country. Gasim is a good philanthropist who has helped a number of Maldivians in areas such as education and health. But that is no justification to elect Gasim as our president. We don’t want to build a socialist system of governance where we would have to beg Gasim for everything. If we elect Gasim, we would see the vultures that surround him, descend on the government and share the wealth of the state amongst them.
Dhivehi Observer’s Editor, Sappe, made a mistake in endorsing Gasim’s candidacy. We, the people of this country, should not make the same mistake that Sappe made. In fact, I believe that electing Gasim would be even more dangerous than even electing Gayyoom! Let’s say “No” to Gayyoom and to Gasim as well.

The remaining two candidates in this list are Anni and Dr. Hassan. Personally I think we would have had a dream team if these two were running on one ticket. Sadly though they are running as separate candidates. As I have said in the blog before, Dr. Hassan made a mistake in not selecting Dr. Waheed as his running mate. Selecting Dr. Shaheed would not have brought any new support to Dr. Hassan’s camp. Don’t get me wrong, I believe that Dr. Shaheed is a potential leader of the future, but Hassan’s candidacy would have been strengthened if he selected Dr. Waheed as his running mate.

Considering that Anni and Dr. Waheed are now running on one ticket, and considering the manifestos, and considering the relative popularity of the two candidates (Anni and Hassan), it seems to me that Anni and MDP are the only viable challengers in the contest who can beat Gayyoom and save us from this old man. Another five years for Gayyoom would mean more of the same thing (Drugs, violence, crime, corruption, disrespect for Islam, shortage of housing, discrimination against islanders, and so on).

I believe that Dr. Hassan and Dr. Shaheed (just as Ibra and Umar), have a lot to contribute to in a future government. But Anni and Dr. Waheed is the team that I’m endorsing, so that we can at last see the back of this dictator Gayyoom. Let’s unite behind MDP. Let’s make this country a nation free from corruption and inequality. Let’s say “yes” to Anni and MDP. I’m not endorsing Anni for any personal gain. But for the sake of our future and the future of our children. Let’s give MDP one chance.

Anyone who votes for Gayyoom would be doing so as a challenge to Allah and His religion

No sane person would vote for Gayyoom. The old dictator has been in power for nearly 30 years. The fact that the Auditor General has recently recommended to the Parliament, to liquidate MTDC, is just one small example of the scale of corruption and mismanagement in the wily old dictator’s 30-year-old regime. Another reason that we should not vote for Gayyoom is his blatant lying on TVM’s “Siyaasath” programme recently. Not only did he lie, he made statements that showed his contempt and disregard for Islamic Sharia. I would go as far as to say that anyone who votes for Gayyoom would be doing so as a challenge to Allah and His religion. Anyone who loves this country of ours, or who loves the religion of Islam would refrain from voting for Gayyoom.

DO Sappe Made a mistake in endorsing Gasim!

Buruma Gasim, would be a dangerous choice. Anyone who controls private television channels and radio stations and who does business in virtually all areas would have conflict of interests. If one listens to resignation speech of Thoyyib, who resigned from Gasim’s Villa TV recently, one can imagine the dangers of electing Gasim as a president of this country. Gasim is a good philanthropist who has helped a number of Maldivians in areas such as education and health. But that is no justification to elect Gasim as our president. We don’t want to build a socialist system of governance where we would have to beg Gasim for everything. If we elect Gasim, we would see the vultures that surround him, descend on the government and share the wealth of the state amongst them.
Dhivehi Observer’s Editor, Sappe, made a mistake in endorsing Gasim’s candidacy. We, the people of this country, should not make the same mistake that Sappe made. In fact, I believe that electing Gasim would be even more dangerous than even electing Gayyoom! Let’s say “No” to Gayyoom and to Gasim as well.

Anni’s choice of a running mate is a shrewd one!

In this blog, a few days ago, I advocated that Dr. Waheed would be a good choice for a running mate of either Hassan Saeed or Mohamed Nasheed (Anni). Please refer to the article http://clubescapemaldives.blogspot.com/2008/09/dr-waheed-factor-and-dr-munawwars.html

Dr. Hassan overlooked that suggestion and selected his close friend Dr. Shaheed as his running mate. As I mentioned in my blog, Dr. Shaheed is a capable leader, but I still maintain that it’s not a shrewd choice as Dr. Hassan’s running mate. I’m glad that Anni saw the sense in my suggestion and selected Dr. Waheed as Anni’s presidential running mate. Despite some of his shortcomings, I assume that Dr. Waheed will bring a lot of charisma into Anni’s presidential bid.

I’m not saying that Dr. Waheed is perfect. Nor am I saying that Anni is perfect. In fact I have posted some very damning and critical articles about Anni; just as I have posted some articles praising Anni. These are changing times and we should not be ashamed to speak our minds frankly. In doing so, you may praise someone whom you have criticised earlier.

As I have repeated many times in the blog, the three leaders who can help save us from Gayyoom are Anni, Hassan and Ibra. I have recently added the name of Dr. Waheed to this list. It’s good to see that two of these four are now at least in one team.

I was also pleased to hear Anni say that, if elected as President, he will convert Theemuge as the headquarters of the Maldives University. I’m sure Anni would be the first person to acknowledge that this idea of converting Theemuge as a university was first floated by this humble writer some years ago. Dr. Hassan and Anni have both said that, if elected, they will not reside at Theemuge. It’s nice that some of our leaders are listening to our voices.

Collectively (as a nation) we all stand to lose a lot if we give Gayyoom a seventh chance!

Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom – a seventy year old man whose real age is probably over eighty! A dictator who has ruled with an iron-fist for the large part of the past 30 years. Now he is running for a seventh five-year term. He’s directly or indirectly responsible for all the social and economic ills that this fragile country is facing. Drug abuse and rising crime and widespread corruption and many other social ills! Problems arising from a shortage of proper housing and disrespect for cultural and religious norms. In short, we are a nation in crisis. His legacy is drugs and lies. Yet, he has come up with a manifesto that promises tackling drug abuse and building thousands of housing units. It would have been comical if it weren’t so tragic. Listening to this man asking us to give him a seventh term – so that he can solve our problems – one is reminded of a man asking Allah to send him back to earth so that he will pray and do good deeds and stay away from sins!

Maumoon broke our spines and enslaved us. He is a liar who pretends to be an Islamic scholar when in reality he has very little respect for Prophet Muhammad’s ways. Even if Gayyoom were the last man on earth, we shouldn’t vote for him to be our leader. Personally I would prefer even a non-Muslim to lead me than let Gayyoom lead. I know many non-Muslims who are more sincere and more ethical than Gayyoom. Just because the old man studied from Azhar doesn’t mean that he is a saint. Just because the old man speaks Arabic language that doesn’t mean that he follows the teachings of the Holy Koran.

One look at his wife and two daughters, and one can see that he doesn’t give proper guidance to his family as per the Islamic teachings. Gayyoom does not believe that it is compulsory for women to wear the veil. That’s why his wife and two daughters are walking (or rather driving) our streets being naked! He mocks those who wear the veil and mocks those men who grow their beards. May Allah save us from this selfish, evil and conniving old man!

So this is Gayyoom’s ‘Doomsday’! He is standing in front of us – the people of Maldives. He is asking us to keep him in power for 35 years. He is a liar and we should see through the fabricated facade that the old man has built to mislead us.

It’s time that we say no to Gayyoom and his parasitic family and his cronies. By saying “no” to Gayyoom we will not only be saying “No” to a selfish dictator who has killed our dreams, but we will also be saying “no” to people such as Gayyoom’s brother Abdullah Hameed, Umar Zahir, Summer Blue Ibrahim Manik, Abbas Ibrahim and the rest.

In saying “No” to Gayyoom we have to say “Yes” to one of the contenders for presidency. Of the many candidates there are only three candidates who have a credible chance of mounting a serious challenge – namely Dr. Hassan Saeed and Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) and Gasim Ibrahim. Judging from the manifestos and other relevant indicators, I have to say that Dr. Hassan and his running mate (Dr. Shaheed) is a team that we can back successfully. The fact that, of these three candidates, Gayyoom apparently hates Dr. Hassan the most, goes to show that Dr. Hassan is the candidate who can dislodge Gayyoom and bring us a fair and democratic government. Personally I have nothing to gain even if Hassan Saeed wins, but collectively (as a nation) we all stand to lose a lot if we give Gayyoom a seventh chance!

“Stop wasting public money NOW: Chief Justice and Speaker can use normal houses!”

Following words are some extracts which I took from a Face book group called: “Stop wasting public money NOW: Chief Justice and Speaker can use normal houses!”

“Recently the People’s Majlis decided to allot Mulee Aage to the Majlis Speaker and Hilaaleege to the Chief Justice. If the government approves the decision, which is very likely, then these two houses will be converted as official palaces.

At present the only official palace in the Maldives is Theemuge. It employs over 800 staff and incurs a DAILY expenditure of about half million rufiyaa. In addition to this, MNDF and the Police spend an undisclosed (but a very high) proportion of their budgets on the security of Theemuge.

If Mulee Aage and Hilaaleege become additional palaces like Theemuge with similar expenditures, then the total expenditures on the three palaces will shoot up to 1.5 million rufiyaa per DAY. This is a sum of money that 99% of Maldivians will never collect in their WHOLE LIFE.

So, do our public servants need to live such luxurious lives? Public servants of course need to be comfortable; so that they could concentrate on their jobs. But being comfortable and rolling in luxury are different. Further, the lifestyles of our leaders should also have some relation to our per capita GDP. Looking at our current housing situation in Male, an independent 3-4 room house should be adequate for these leaders and they should be able to manage their households with a living allowance of about 50,000 per month.

If the two houses are converted into Theemuge like palaces the annual expenditure on the three palaces will be about HALF BILLION rufiyaa or about 6% of the government budget. This level of expenditure cannot be justified in the current economic situation. So we call on the Majlis to re-think the issue.”

You can visit the group ate the following address:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=25217949027

The Dr. Waheed factor and Dr. Munawwar’s appointment as Gasim’s running mate!

An online poll by Jazeera Daily showed that Dr. Hassan Saeed won the recently held question-answer debate organized by the Information Ministry. Dr. Hassan got nearly half (42%0) of the votes while his closest rival, Anni, got 30%. A similar poll conducted by Dhi-FM also saw Dr. Hassan top the results, even though this poll was later nullified by Dhi-FM, due to some technical problem.

After the debate organized by the Information Ministry, among presidential candidates, many people were of the opinion that Dr. Hassan Saeed appeared to be the biggest threat to Gayyoom. At a press briefing after the debate Gayyoom had his harshest words directed at Dr. Hasssan. This too goes to show that Gayyoom now does not consider Gasim and Anni to be serious contenders.

The appointment of Dr. Munawwar as the running-mate of Buruma Gasim has obviously weakened Gasim’s candidacy. Gasim may have thought that he could get the bulk of votes from Addu Atoll by making an Adduan as his running-mate. But Gasim seems to have forgotten that Dr. Munawwar’s political track-record is full of failures. I bet that even Gayyoom can get more votes from Addu than Dr. Munawwar. Speaking to young and enthusiastic Adduans, I get the feeling that most Adduans now favour Dr. Hassan Saeed as the most viable candidate who can oust Gayyoom and bring a stable and prosperous leadership to the country.

Now that Gasim and Gayyoom have selected their running-mates, the biggest question now is who will be the running mates of Anni and Hassan! Just as Gasim made a mistake in selecting Munawwar as a running-mate, I believe that Gayyoom also made a mistake in selecting Thasmeen as a running-mate. Few Maldivians know Thasmeen and most people consider him to be a quiet man who doesn’t have the political clout needed for a race of this nature. Similarly it would be a mistake for Dr. Hassan to select the most obvious candidate (Dr. Shaheed) as his running-mate. I fully agree that Dr. Shaheed is a very capable leader but it would be a mistake for Dr. Hassan to appoint someone so close to him.

Maldivians still look for some kind of indefinable character in their leaders! Gayyoom had it – and still has a lot of that mysterious character. I believe that Dr. Waheed is someone who has some traits of such character and hence Dr. Waheed could be an excellent asset as a running-mate of either Dr. Hassan or Anni.

I still largely stick with my previous statement, that the three leaders who can make a difference right now are Anni, Ibra and Dr. Hassan. I would though add one more name to this fray. That’s the name of Dr. Waheed from Gaumee Ittihaadh Party. I know that many Maldivians are critical of Dr. Waheed for resigning from his posts too quickly; but at this critical juncture, Dr. Waheed could bring plenty of vigour to Dr. Hassan or Anni if either of them appoints Dr. Waheed as their running-mate.

In a future, democratic government – whoever wins the next election - I believe, the following people should get some senior position in the government:

1. Dr. Hassan Saeed
2. Mohamed Nasheed (Anni)
3. Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra)
4. Dr. Waheed
5. Dr. Shaheed

There are of course many other leaders and potential-leaders – some who are directly involved in the current struggle and some who are watching from a distance. All of them could be involved in a future government in varying degrees. There are people such as Dr. Farahanaz Faisal and Dr. Ugail and Dr. Riza – who could contribute immensely. But the above four leaders could play a pivotal role in saving us from the grip of Gayyoom and taking this country to a new level of prosperity, stability and excellence.

If these five leaders could not come to some sort of compromise, then we may very well see Gayyoom and Gasim top the election and those two names could go to a second round of voting, leaving the rest in limbo. That would be disastrous to the nation.

Villa Government!

I have a hard time answering the following questions! I would appreciate if the readers of this blog would help me in answering these questions:

1. If Gasim Ibrahim (Buruma Gasim) becomes President of this country, will he give preference to Villa Travels or MATTI?

2. If Gasim Ibrahim (Buruma Gasim) becomes President of this country, will he give preference to Villa Gas or STO Gas?

3. If Gasim Ibrahim (Buruma Gasim) becomes President of this country, will he give preference to Villa Fuels or STO Fuels?

4. . If Gasim Ibrahim (Buruma Gasim) becomes President of this country, will he give preference to Villa Cement or STO Cement?

5. . If Gasim Ibrahim (Buruma Gasim) becomes President of this country, will he give preference to Villa Fisheries or MIFCO?

6. . If Gasim Ibrahim (Buruma Gasim) becomes President of this country, will he give preference to Villa Air (TMA) or Island Aviation (Maldivian)?

7. . If Gasim Ibrahim (Buruma Gasim) becomes President of this country, will he give preference to Villa Airports or Maldives Airports Company?

8. . If Gasim Ibrahim (Buruma Gasim) becomes President of this country, will he give preference to Villa Shipping or MNSML?

9. Villa Money Transfer (Western Union) or Bank of Maldives?

10. . If Gasim Ibrahim (Buruma Gasim) becomes President of this country, will he give preference to Villa Launch Section or MTCC Launch Section?

11. . If Gasim Ibrahim (Buruma Gasim) becomes President of this country, will he give preference to Villa College or Maldives College?