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!
Bushry thats a good touch, i think your probably right in highlighting that the only option left for opposition is to get unite and form a strong coalition. That would better for the people and the opposition but i still have my doubt, i dont think Anni will ever join hand with Gasim and i also dont feel that Dr.Hassan Saeed may join hand with Gasim. But if Dr.Hassan Saeed and Gasim joins hand then they will have a very strong backing from the public.
ReplyDeleteshahym
Uniting would be great.
ReplyDeleteBut will the elections be really fair?
The ghost of Hussain Salah will haunt Dr Shaheed forever. Read the media reports about Salah's death if you are an undecided voter and think that Dr Shaheed will be a good leader, a great decision maker and an excellent Vice President. Read about the dirty tricks of the Gayoom government to cover up this messy incident of torture, before you decide that Dr Hassan Saeed -- who was the Attorney General at the time of Salah's death -- is a clean politician and will be a fine President.
ReplyDeleteDhiyana Saeed got a leap of a promotion under the patronage of the now-reformist Dr Hassan Saeed. Dhiyana Saeed became an Executive Director in Attorney General's Office overnight, bypassing several positions. A person can be given promotion if the superiors wishes to do so, and after approval from the President's Office which has the final say over hiring and firing government employees. Under the government employees regulations, a person is eligible for promotion every 4 years, even if the person is not promoted based on merit and achievements. For a normal person, it would take 32 years to achieve the promotion that Dhiyana Saeed received overnight. Lets look at the posts that lead up to the position of an Executive Director.
ReplyDeleteDr Hassan Saeed has very limited knowledge of how a modern democracy works. This is just one reason why you should not vote for Dr Hassan Saeed, who is showing the qualities of a tyrant, by his disregard for pluralism and multi-party system.
ReplyDeleteWhen Dr Saeed was AG, he promoted Mohamed Anil, the current Commissioner for Legal Reform, in another example of cronyism.
Both Dhiyana and Anil are qualified lawyers. However, a completely mindboggling promotion is bringing Ashraf Abdul Raheem as a senior staff of AG Office. Ashraf was a Dhivehi teacher at CHSE and he is not qualified for a senior position at AG Office. However, since Ashraf is a good public speaker and debater and was frequently speaking at DRP functions, Dr Saeed found him to be fit as a senior staff of AG Office.
When Dr Hassan Saeed appears on TV and speak on radio, accusing Gayoom of favouritism and nepotism, it is just one of the biggest ironies. Just like the Azhar trio which introduced nepotism to the Maldives politics, the trio of New Maldives practiced cronyism and favouritism while defending the old tyrant Gayoom. The abuse of power under the New Maldives ministers is a very long story, and it will be exposed in future blog posts.
Hussain Saeed, the brother of Dr Hassan Saeed, was a teacher at Feydhoo School, when he was promoted to the post of Atoll Chief of Addu, through the influence of Dr Saeed. Shortly after Dr Saeed left the government Hussain Saeed was dismissed from the post of Atoll Chief of Addu. His other brother Ibrahim Saeed was promoted to the post of a Supervisor of Aminiyya School. Another relative of Hassan Saeed was promoted to a managerial post of MTCC in Addu.
So all the fans of Dr Hassan Saeed out there. Just because he looks like Gayoom, wears glasses, has a voice like Gayoom, and recites verses from the Quran and Hadith, does not mean he is a clean person. He has a long history of corruption during his years as Attorney General. Just make sure you don't elect another Gayoom to power.
Hassan Saeed is claiming he was the single entity which made freedom of assembly and expression possible, and that he was the architect of “liberal democracy” when parliamentary records show that he argued against freedom of assembly, prosecuted people who assembled, claimed that DRP should be the ONLY political party in the Maldives, submitted an “amendment” to the constitution, which if passed would have left the trial courts, and courts of first instance at the mercy of the Executive, claimed that the Minivan Bahus series was illegal, admitted on public TV that he acted in contravention to law while holding the position of Attorney General, gave legal advise to send back the bill on Parliament’s immunity back to the Majlis, and thereby killing it, and yet he is supposed to be the saviour who will bring liberal democracy to the country."
ReplyDeletehttp://antinewmaldives.blogspot.com/
As experienced politicians, DRP would have thought of whom to make an alliance with in the inevitable second round. Its would certainly not be Anni.
ReplyDeleteAt the same time, also notice that Dr. Hassan's call for a unity government and the way they brush aside the party system.
This leaves Qasim as a problem for DRP, in case he makes a deal with MDP. So if Qsaim can be stopped in same way, DRP and Dr. Hassan can work out a good marriage of convenience.
It may even help DRP to help Dr. Hassan Saeed.
Dont vote for Hassan Saeed, Gayoom controls him.
ReplyDeleteWhile Hassan Saeed was in Gayooms cabinet, Gayoom put a probe into Hassan Saeeds ass to control him. So through that probe he is controlling Hassan Saeed.
Hey Mausoom you cheep prostitute, wouldnt you anything to stay in Gayooms cabinet.
ReplyDeleteResign now, show us that you have a concise and integrity to make decisions on your own. Dont be a Gayooms Boy and be pushed around like, just look at your replacement, its Raagondi Raaja dosent that insult your qualification and experience as a hotelier.
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ReplyDeleteCompared to whom? Only person comparable to him is maumoon.since gayooms re-election hassan saeed along with his running mate kept the regime in power.the same hassan saeed 2 years back speaking at a DRP rally said that maldivian education system is one of the best in the world.Justified Maumoons actions to western governments.Dr.Shaheed claimed Maumoon is the father of democracy.Tried to charge leaders of the reform movement with treason.Only the police who harassed his brother were given due punishment, if it was an activist police brutality was ignored. His igonorance fo maldivian people is a shame. Claimed in a TV programme he wouldnt resign from the cabinet even if addu people asked him to as maumoon gave his that job. A pure hypocrite s shame on democracy and now claims the self appointed delivery boy of people power. Get a room you and Dr.shaheed, we already have seen u nude and its not a pretty site. You just cant ingnore the fact that addu people dont do no wrong. Just like Munavar mavota Hassan saeed is a piece of trash the only thing he ever did for maldivian democracy was done to pave way for him to get to power.He left wehn he knew that maumoon still favors yameen. Stop talking trash and compare hassan saeed to the people who really gave all to the reofrm movement.
ReplyDeleteyour suggestion has 'defeatism' written all over it, bushry. gasim is the only serious threat maumoon has since gasim will divide the votes in the north which otherwise would be sold out to maumoon. yameen with his supposed threat to gasims business is daunting, but gasim is man enough to stand against a bully like him. it's only one person who's going to win, i'm sure gasim like most of the candidates are working thier tails off to ensure a victory. but retreating in the middle of the war as you suggest based on some baseless crap is a very defeatist idea, especially when i think gasim's chances of winning is as high as either anni or saeed.
ReplyDeleteI think Hassan Saeed will not do a deal with Gasim, since it is something unsincere. However, it is likely that Anni will do it. He did a deal with Gayyoom on many things. For example, to include Anni's brother in law Saabe in the elections commission who voted "Maumoon can contest". So, let's decide who is sincere and who is not.
ReplyDeleteAnni was the person who called "Fili" Waheed. Should he be the running mate of any other candidate, the notion of "Fili" will be flying all over the country since "Adu gadha meehaage ruh gina vaanethy"
ReplyDeleteBut now, Maldivians are much aware than ever. They will simply not vote someone who is capable of only street protests.
Anni is someone who said "I will not contest for Presidency" together with Gogo Latheef. One reason why Gogo Latheef is not campaigning for Anni is because Anni's credibility is highly questionable. So, a NO vote to Anni and a NO vote to Gayyoom. Now, we end up with only one option and that is to vote, Dr Hassan. It's not that he is perfect, but he is the only option left considering the future of our nation.
ReplyDeleteHussain Salah's death has nothing to do with Dr Shaheed since he was talking based on information received from Home Ministry. All the dealings went between Home Ministry and Maldives High Commission, and interestingly, not through Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is very unusual.
ReplyDeleteYea right. Those New Maldives guys Shaheed and Hassan Saeed covered up Salaahs murder on Gayooms instruction.
ReplyDeleteSalahs body was not even shown to his relatives was buried by police.
Hassan Saeed was the person who brought reform within the government. The fact that Anni wanted to become his running mate clearly proves this. Moreover, the fact that Gogo Latheef does not campaign for Anni is because of Anni's dictatorial instincts. Anni was a person who promised to the public, together with Gogo Latheef, that he will not contest for Presidency.
ReplyDeleteAnni takes hash oil. He says "Baarugadha masthuvaa thakethi manaa kuraanan", which means light drugs will be permitted in the country. There's no way that I will vote for Anni. I'd rather vote for Umar Zahir or Gayyoom, had Anni been the other choice.
Hussain Salah's death has nothing to do with Dr Shaheed since he was talking based on information received from Home Ministry. All the dealings went between Home Ministry and Maldives High Commission, and interestingly, not through Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is very unusual.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the above comment.
I used to support MDP. I campaigned for Anni because I thought Anni was much better than Hassan Saeed. However, because he made a deal with Golha, I have no choice but to vote for Hassan Saeed. "Efulhahmathin Fummaali Bakari Aneh Fulhammathin Fummaalaane" and we will not see Aneh Dhivehi Raajje
ReplyDeleteGuys never vote for the Ex Attorney General of Golhaabo.
ReplyDeleteHavent you seen his speeches when he was licking Golhaabos a**
Hassan Saeed became a reformist right after he resigned from Golhaabos cabinet.
ReplyDeleteGolhaabos Lapdog became a reformist falling face down in Dharubaaru debate.
We hate him because he covered up the death of Sallah with the help of his chum Shaheed.
lol Shaheed said that Golhaabo was the Father of Democracy in Maldives. I wonder what are his thoughts now.
Hassan Saeed told that Maldives has the best Education curriculum in South Asia and Under Golhaabos 30 years of tyranny Maldives developed. Hassan Saeed What are your thoughts now.
Talk is cheep, hehe the fellow even recommends single party system.
Hassan Saeed you should not be running for president. But rather you should be charged of second degree murder and obstruction of justice in a court of law for the murder of Hussain Sallah.
ReplyDeletebushry. gasim is not winning. so what? one of the most corrupt men in Maldives who made the country bankrupt as finance minister. should MDP make an alliance with him? No. gasim is not a threat to any candidate. MDP should never make an alliance with gasim. let yameen destroy gasim. even if gasim comes and beg for an alliance with MDP, we the supporters of MDP will not approve it.
ReplyDeleteWhy did Hassan Saeed resign if he likes Golha so much?
ReplyDeleteHassan Saeed is the only person who resigned from the cabinet followed by a press conference publicizing all the scandals of the government. This is the first of its kind in Maldives. Hassan Saeed made history. Public accepted him. He managed to get over 5000 signatures in less than 72 hours. This is a record.
Whatever happens, Hassan Saeed will be the next president of Maldives.
Anni is deperate for votes now. He is good in playing a drama but let's see when the votes are counted. I bet that he can't get more than 20000 votes. Look at MDP registrar. The turn up in MDP Primary was very low, lower than even 50% of the registered members. Statistically, there is no proof that Anni will even go for a second round.
ReplyDeleteHassan Saeed and Shaheed WERE mouthpieces of Gayyoom because they served the Cabinet.
ReplyDeleteAnni IS A mouthpiece of Gayyoom since he made a deal with Gayyoom. He didn't have the guts to say anything to Gayyoom during the debate.
Hassan was the only person who criticized Gayyoom. My vote is for Dr Hassan
Bushry, I support ur article but some comments has lot of untrue information. Like Hussain Salaah case, he may have died or killed in police custody, police commissioner is Adam Zahiz still he is in full power, home minister is Thasmeen he holds cabinet portfolio as Attols minister, there is no reason that solaah’s death blame to pass former Foreign minister Dr.shaheed and AG Dr.Hassan Saeed. The only thing u can say is he gave that information to international community according to Solah’s post-motam report, that is his duty, did he manipulate that report? No. He gave that information as it is.
ReplyDeleteDr.Hassan threaten to maumoon by saying he will resign if maumoon use Adam Zahir as a source of power. Home minister and police should be responsible regarding solah’s death.
The comments regarding some promotion Dr.Hassan gave to his colleagues are not true, Annil promoted to commissioner of law reform after Hassan’s resignation, Uz.Nasheed did that.
I am not supporting Dr.Hassan Saeed blindly like anni’s supporters did. I think Hassan is the person who is very sincerely to the public, in maumoon’s cabinet if he is not there things will be much worse than today. Let’s not blame each other like MDP currently doing, lets say no to Maumoon together.
My dream government.
ReplyDeleteDr.Hassan: president
Dr.Shaheed: Wise president
Dr.Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik: Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mohamed Nasheed (Anni): Minister of transport
Ibrahim Isamil (Ibra): Minister of Education
Umar Naseeru: Minister of Defense and National Security
Dr.Aminath Jameel: Minister of Health
Mohamed Nasheed(Kutti) : Attorney General
Dr. Mahmood Shugee: Minister of Trade and economic development
Dr. Majeed: Minister of Islamic Affairs
Waheed dean: Sports
Dr. Jameel: Minister of Home Affairs
MMA Governor: Mr. Jaleel
( Attols, Information, no need)
To thelast anony, all I can say is dream on.
ReplyDeleteShaugee for Economic Development?
ReplyDeleteor did you mean curriculum development?
well, dream on... its very clear that the person who wrote the above is thinking inside a small box.
Ministry of Teachers and Curriculum Development, and of course Dr. Shaugee + Wadde.
ReplyDeleteHow does that sound.
Bushry it would be even better if you withdraw your blog.
ReplyDeleteAnni is making deals with Maumoon, Anni is running because of maumoon is running, he dont have any sensible proposal to the public. I think Ibra is the best choice.
ReplyDeleteI guess it is time that the whole opposition endorse Dr Hassan Saeed, since he has proven himself.
ReplyDelete1. He criticized Gayyoom as AG. He won the DRP vice chair without spending a penny.
2. He gave an interview publicly saying that President's buddy Sheikh Rasheed should resign. He also told that Maldivians should continue to fight for their rights and supported opposition in each and every manner. The fact that Anni wanted to become his running mate proves this.
3. He resigned from the cabinet followed by a press conference. This is the first of its kind in history of Maldives.
4. He started campaigning to run for office, began very slowly.
5. Later the campaign grew. He managed to get over 5000 signatures from the public within 3 days. This is a record.
On the other hand, Anni has done several things which looses his credibility.
I am from Addu but I cant simply want Dr.Saeed who had run away from a debate n has a foreigner for his wife.Shame on this nation.He was broght from nowhere to the limelight by present regime.You cant talk about Qayyom as a dictator, otheriwse Dr.Hassan wud have been histroy n Bushree want be writing his blog.We want Anni and Qayyoom run this country.Hell to phD holders who had been in the other world when we struggled.
ReplyDeleteNever heard Dr Saeed running away from a debate. "Foreign Wife" is a consitutional right of every citizen of Maldives.
ReplyDeleteI support Mohamed Saeed Moosa Wajdhee's comment
Gasim should form a coalition with Dr Hassan for good of the Maldivian people
ReplyDelete