Some of the articles (posts) in this blog are obviously critical of the new government. Due to this reason some readers are of the opinion that I’m against the new president and the new government. This is the sort of narrow-mindedness that we do not need. If everyone (including the media) starts praising President Nasheed and his government then he too could forget his roots and become a dictator just as Gayyoom turned from a well-intending young leader into a corrupt dictator.
I would like to state for the record that I’m not against Nasheed or his government. I welcome them and I’m thankful to Allah that we have finally brought an end to the 30-year-old dictatorial regime of Gayyoom. Like many Maldivians, I too, look forward to many changes and development and prosperity.
Some readers also accuse me of criticizing Nasheed because, as they say, he didn’t offer me some “senior post”. This too is cynical. I have been criticizing Gayyoom’s regime for over eighteen years and during that time I was offered some senior posts which I could have taken and enjoyed but I turned those offers down and continued to criticize Gayyoom until we finally saw his back. So, why would I want some “post” from Nasheed?
Hence, I would like to state for the record that I do not need and I do not want any “post” or “senior position” from the new government. Be it a ministerial or deputy-ministerial or state-ministerial or directorial or any other post! No thanks.
I’m not looking for any reward from any human being; and Allah is more than enough for me. Insha Allah I have a small but reasonable business and I’m happy with whatever Allah grants me. I don’t need any other person or any “posts” from anyone.
My only concern over the last 18 years has been that the people of this country have been getting a raw deal! And my worry now is that if all the media and everyone shuts up and keep silent then we may turn our hero (Nasheed) into another corrupt leader as all our previous leaders have been.
Look what’s happening to most of the media now.
1. Since the appointment of the new government, Minivan Daily has been closed.
2. Dhivehi Observer (DO) is not being updated in any meaningful way.
3. “Himeyn Ingilaab” website is not being updated.
4. MDP-website is not being updated.
5. Adduvas weekly magazine has been stopped.
6. Manas fortnightly magazine has been stopped.
7. Huvas fortnightly magazine has been stopped.
8. Evening Weekly magazine has been stopped.
And there are rumors that the weekly magazine (Fiyes) which is now owned by the famous businessman (Jabir) will be phased-out and closed in the coming months.
Can you see the leading three daily newspapers (Haveeru, Jazeera and Aafathis) making any meaningful criticisms of the new government? Can you see them making the new government answerable to some of their election-promises? Can you see the three television stations (TVM, DhiTV, VTV) reporting in a way that holds the new government responsible?
We need a strong opposition even if the new government is well-intending and good. What I mean by a “strong opposition” is not only an opposition party.
1. We need a strong daily newspaper that stays in the “opposition” and feed on any slipups by the new government.
2. We need a strong weekly Dhivehi magazine that stays in the “opposition”.
3. We need a strong English newspaper that stays in the “opposition”.
4. We need a strong television station that stays in the “opposition”.
5. We need a strong radio station that stays in the “opposition”.
6. We also need a strong opposition party that is responsible and ethical and works for the people by making the ruling party answerable to the people!
At the moment we do not have any of the above. Though DRP is the official opposition party they do not seem to be doing anything meaningful. Though Haveeru or Aafathis could be described by some as “opposition dailies”, none of those two are doing any meaningful reporting to make the new government accountable. All they seem to be doing is reporting events and changes!
There are no magazines that are doing that job either. The three TV stations all seem to be very favorable to the new government. Most of the FM radio stations are just the same. Our media is virtually asleep and we do not have a sober opposition party. DRP is still suffering from the hangovers of the election-defeat!
Now, this small me! This humble guy is criticizing the new government and the new president in this modest “blog” and I’m being labeled an “anti-government” guy expressing my anger for not getting some “post”! Give me a break!
I wonder what lesson we (the people of this country) learned from the past. I don’t mind being criticised but I would mind if our ignorance leads us down the same worn-out path of unaccountable governance and corrupt leaders.
Insha Allah, with my limited means, I will keep fighting for the people until the last drop of ink from my pen and the last stroke of my keyboard! And I would like to reiterate that I do not need any gratitude – not from the people and certainly not from any government (old or new)!
Something is very wrong is happening in this Government.
ReplyDeleteThe champions of Democracy are closing down or hushing up all the News Papers.
Villa Tv is always sending Kisses to Anni. They are not showing anything critical of Anni/MDP... same goes to Dhi TV.
Even now we see former Opposition Ministers like Waheed Dheen sitting on Zakis lap and criticizing Gayoom.
MDP members should form a group advocate these Matters and bring this to their attention.
We should kee these guys in check, If MDP leaders do not address these matters then get ready to loose another 10000 members just like Ibra and Munnawar resigned.
We must vote for good MP's from the opposition to keep a balance.
MDP member
BUSHRY.. HATS OFF TO YOU, FOR THE HARD WORK U R DOING AS A JOURNALIST FOR THE PEOPLE OF MALDIVES.
ReplyDeleteINSHA ALLAH YOU'LL BE REWARDED ON JUDGEMENT DAY FOR YOUR GOOD DEEDS. CONTINUE WRITING!!
I am a MDP member and I do criticism the MDP Government.
ReplyDeleteI see a lack of transparency as promised, withholding information from the public and handing out Ministerial posts as gifts to friends and family members.
During the campaign period Zaki would give a news conference every time anni has a hiccup or a cough. Where is the information decimation now...Where is Zaki now or Maria....even if they are on media we still hear them bashing about Gayoom. Do you job now guys, why are you still talking about gayoom, he is gone. Show us how good you are at running the government.
If Anni back straddles on any of the promises made during the election including AArah, Theemuge, $300Mln dollars, and midterm elections, and manifesto. Then definitely we have lost confidence in the Govt and it will proove that Anni/MDP were lying to the public.
We are watching closely.
hi brother bushry, honestly i do admire your humble effort n certainly you need a big THANK YOU. at least from me for all what you have done in the past to keep the govt.honest.
ReplyDeletei do feel ANNI will have to decide ASAP not to move to AARAH.
he will suffer the same fate as Gayoom if he allows himself to move to theemuge and party at AARAH. no two ways about it.
hope and pray this young guy will not fall pray to the corrupt guys howering like vultures....
Even in Gayyoom's time, no one dares to criticize MDP it was either you are with them or against them. SO do you honestly think that you can criticize them, now that they are in power? Well try!!! Look what happened to DRP guys ;-)
ReplyDeleteSo there are Two Kerafaa Ministers now in the cabinet, what is this Anni
ReplyDeleteOne minister and one Deputy Minister. Wasnt there anyone else beside Ms Shifa Mohamed from Kerafaa Family.
only GOD knows how much govt.has spent for medical bills at MOUNT E hospital in Singapore..
ReplyDeletethis has to be stopped immediately..
MRF 100 million for one year ????
Bush you don’t need to tell us that you are in the loop. We all know that. We all know what “a front’ is and do recognize one when we see one. Keep up the good work. There is nothing quite like a court jester. Tee Hee He hiiii
ReplyDeletethis is just to bring to your notice that something really fishy is going on...
ReplyDeletemy name is included in the People's Party's register eventhough i did not sign for any political party. when my name was on it, i just scanned through the register and found that 4 servicemen's name from our island were also included in it. i called some of them and found that they had no idea about y their name should be in the list!!
my feeling is that they've somehow gota list of people who have not signed for a party and registered those people in their party. but my question is, how did the people's party guys get copies of our ID cards and how did they know that we r not in a party, unless ofcourse someone in National registrations or Elections office had a hand in this? I'm sure that if their list is investigated, a lot of people's name will come up who have no idea abt being included in their damn party.
I'm 100% sure that the ppl from our island have no idea that they r included in this damn party.
----from F.Nilandhoo
my name is included in Dhivehi raajeyn faageru kann naththaaluma massaikai kuraa party.. i dinn register my name in that party.. am also wondering how they got my id card copy and how did they knew that i dinn register in any party.. I worked in the goverment. So i suspect president office, the ministry i worked, election commision, national registration office , dhiraagu and bank of maldives for giving them my id card copy. because this the only way they could get my id card copy. can anyone pls tel me whether i can sue this fageeru kann naththaalaa party. is there any gaanoonu for this? thanks
ReplyDeleteBush you have to tone down your rhetoric. We all are skeptical of the new Govt caz we expect them to do ALL THE THINGS the earlier government didn’t provide up.
ReplyDeleteI expect Anni to be a good Manager/Administrator. People say he has the determination to achieve the objectives he seek. I hope he has enough willpower to ward off the vultures with in (specially) Jumhoori party and the New Maldives Movement.
For Goodness sake don’t pretend to be sooooooooo dash naive. Did you really believe things would change? Are you so blind that you don’t see who is really in the driving seat? And haven’t you seen him in action long enough? What is amazing is that the doctor proved to be as corrupt as the rest of them. I guess it’s very difficult to come to terms with greed. What about all the hype about Theemge expenses running into more than a million rupees/day? What about the blood of guys killed? What about the misappropriation of funds? What about the torture dens? What about the Idi Amin type police chief? What about that problem of giving permission to import the Buddha statue? What about the residences bought in UK, Singapore, Norway, with state funds? What about unlimited state funds spent running into hundreds of thousands of dollars of state money spent on the former president’s extended family and friends? What about the thugs apparently used to threaten the Male public? What about the story about the chief of Police and Yamin being behind the entire drug trade in the capital? Who talks about them now? Where are the investigative reporters? Where is the concerned public? What a set of cynical hypocrites we all are.
ReplyDeleteIt is alarming that Maldivians especially DRP is so quiet about the obviously SYSTEMETIC and PLANNED news censorship the new Goverment has brought by 'plugging potential leaks' such as Minivan and MDP site.
ReplyDeleteIts is news censorship. It is ant-democratic. It is dubious. It is not for the good of maldivians.
It negates the democratic ideals that Anni preached before coming to power.
Would the Government still be running on intrigue and mystery like maumoon did,
Bushry has big list of what we need nd thru out the list its quoted "opposition", cant we just hav 1 honest, neutral media who conveys the truth to the people. Is it possible??
ReplyDeleteGood point, "anonymous" reader above! Actually all the items in the list can be amended as "independent" instead of "opposition"! :-)
ReplyDeleteits lack of information comming from MDP....
ReplyDeleteThe Opposition News papers like Haveeru, AAfathis, Iru Observer, Miadhu are there.... But am baffeled y the heck are they scielent.
The NewsPapers and web sites that were closedown were pro MDP media.
Give it time ppl. The new government just got started,and not even a month!!
ReplyDeleteOfcourse there would be criticism, opposition parties trying to find faults of this gov. as well.
You can't just expect criticism of this new gov. just 1 day after taking over the gov.
Have some common sense guys!! You will soon see newspapers etc coming up as opposition.
Bushry, this is one of the best articles I have read - it came from your heart. I cannot agree more that an effective opposition is not essential. It is unlikely that Nasheed can achieve all that he said he will do. Someone has to keep a watch on him. VTV will not present any opposing viewpoint as long as Qasim remains in Government. Papers like Adduas, Jazeera, Haamadaily and Fiyes are financially supported by Qasim, even then. Therefore, these papers will cease to operate soon. Haveeru is the only paper that may have the courage to present opposing viewpoints. However, Qasim has openly advocated that he wants Government to withdraw notices that go to Haveeru and create a Government Gazzette. So, Haveeru is trying to slowly buy Qasim's support now. It feels like history is going to repeat itself and we will not see an opposition for another ten years. MDP is behind the scenes working with Qasim to consolidate its position. And, it is so true that hopocritical people like Waheedeen who had hosted campaign events for Maummoon few weeks ago are now on the lap of Zaki and crying against Maumoon. They want lease period of resorts extended for 99 years. Most bussiness people are such - Qasim and Jabir are just more open than others. Universal is the same as well, and they too soon will be critical of the old Governmetn, hoping to cash in from the new Government. So, its the ordinary people, who are aware of the realities that can make a difference. Please keep up your work and do the right thing. I too am happy that ruthless regime of Gayyoom is over. But, we have to make sure that history is not repeated.
ReplyDeleteGuys it looks boring caz the witch hunting phase is not there.
ReplyDeleteThen again which hunting is a double edged sword. It could hurt you and hurt him at the same time.
government should initiate a Truth and Reconciliation program to heal everyone.
the Solution was told during the Campaign period.
ReplyDeleteMID TERM ELECTION.
There of the biggest party uniting to for an Coalition just killed the opposition.
I think DRP will need a lot of time to sort out its real leaders amidst the power struggle and making new pacts.
This leaves with no Opposition party and with no opposition news papers like Haveeru, Miadhu and Dhi TV will be quiet.
End to Ittihard and New elections in 2010.
Maybe Dhivehi Observer is not being updated regularly because DO Sappe is too busy eating bondibaiy in the Male'.
ReplyDeleteBesides, all the newsmedia closing down are pro-government ones..if the other end was true, you can call it censorship. Perhaps they are closing them down because they do not want these pro-government media to do nothing but praise the government like they did during Maumoon era.
Neutral, unbiased news is what we need. Not pro-government or anti-government news.
i thnk its very wrong to say there will be no opposition without DRP. I thnk the only purpose ihthihaadh had been formed is to put a "fullstop" to gayyoom regime. The puspose has been full filled nd these coalitions will slowly move away nd become opposition.
ReplyDeleteHi Bush,
ReplyDeleteI am a regular reader of your blog and so far I have not come across any articles that are boring or seeming to be off the track. They are all relevant to what's happening in the current administration.
Like you said, the whole media seem to have lost for words all of a sudden. Nowadays, I see only people like you talk about these issues bring them to the attention of people like us. All your ideas are worth reading.
Please keep on writing these good articles. You will have our say on whatever issue you bring in here.
Lisba
Just give this government some breathing space will you?! They need time to fix things, they need time to start things running. It certainly is not the time to start slapping them! When the time comes, I too will jump to your boat!
ReplyDeleteBushry I salute you!
ReplyDeleteHi Mr Bushry,
ReplyDeleteYou are not alone in this national endeavor. Since 12th Nov we also have been trying to expose the actions/decisions of the new government and contemplating how to establish checks and balances for the future governments in the country. For this we need more than a personal blog.
http://opposeanni.blogspot.com
http://checksnbalancesmaldives.blogspot.com
so .. if u are so concerned .. why dont u make a Strong news paper which ever way u like. I am sure there will be people willing to fund u.
ReplyDeleteAdhaalath party is also dead.Re-write your post and include that line
ReplyDelete"..2. Dhivehi Observer (DO) is not being updated in any meaningful way.
ReplyDelete3. “Himeyn Ingilaab” website is not being updated.
4. MDP-website is not being updated.
5. Adduvas weekly magazine has been stopped.
6. Manas fortnightly magazine has been stopped.
7. Huvas fortnightly magazine has been stopped.
8. Evening Weekly magazine has been stopped.."
Maybe they have learnt something from history.If anyone criticised MDP he could be roasted alive.
This Government is too powerful. All most all the opposition MPs are silent.
ReplyDeleteWhat will happen if Zahir Hussain's (Haveeru Newspaper or MP Aneesaa Ahemd started criticizing the Government?
The opposition people are intimidated with the fear of reprisal actions against them if speak up against the current Government.
Everyone knows that they will be buried alive with all sort of name callings and the accusation of corruption charges for defending or supporting the former Government of Gayoom.
"This Government is too powerful..."
ReplyDeletepowerful as in?
Look at what happened in the parliament regarding the approval of cabinet.
ReplyDeleteAll the opposition Newspapers and blogger's criticized the lack of experience and selection/allocation also about inclusion of shady characters.
Guess what the Cabinet was endorsed by the parliament 34 in favor and 2 Against. What happened to the opposition.
And regarding the appointment of Presidential Appointees ANNI/MDP put their feet in their mouth. They are doing the EXACT OPPOSITE of WHAT THEY PREACHED. PURE HYPOCRISY.
MDP MEMBER
Give them some time...
ReplyDelete.................. next 30 years.
I see Bushry as a very professional and very good journalist of all time. But nowadays he seems giving only attention to politics, my feeling is that a person like
ReplyDeleteBushry should have always come up with the articles politics plus the current affairs. Keep up the good work.
Mr Bushry. It is just a week after the new government took over , and it seems that ure being impractical and very much childish demanding for critics of the new government. Sweetheart give us at-least a month to have a proper and strong argument criticizing them. dont be a spoilt sport just yet. these things take time .. wait till they make a wrong move and dont make them make bad moves.... for gods sake this is not a movie..
ReplyDelete@anonymous above me.
ReplyDeleteThe poor Maldivians are tired of waiting for another 30 years for something positive to come about.
Anni/MDP or whatever coalition this whole mess of a government currently in place should have done something tangible even on DAY 1. It's DAY 6 and still NOTHING, nada, zilch! Plans and prepositions and really "smart" people came up with excellent ideas when they were all mouth and hijacked the peoples minds to win the election and oust Maumoon.
So don't go about preaching that positive change will come after 2-3 months. It should already be here. And ousting Maumoon is not positive change enough when a new disease greater than him is already seemingly becoming visible in the cabinet and the parliament.
How does this affect the Island Kid? Ask yourself!
Oh, and btw, I've never come across a government anywhere in the world that has members of 7 different political parties (or is it more?) in it's coalition membership. And worst of all in a Presidential system too, within a grand populace of approx. 300K people.
ReplyDeleteThere must be something totally wrong here.
Mismanagement, corruption, fraud, squabbling amongst themselves & absolutely no positive change for the Island Kid is all I see.
On a positive note I just cannot imagine how that crook Maumoon must be handling the pressure of living in an ordinary sized apartment. And the demands of the little ones on using the royal swimming pool at Theemuge, their God given right! Hehe!
Hi Bushry, I thank you for your hard work.
ReplyDeleteSo far I do not see any signs of good governance. However, lets wait a little and see if any of the promises are kept.
Regarding tourism industry where I work, I see it is getting nowhere and day by day we are losing our hold on the market.
One thing I noticed when I landed on the tarmac and headed towards entrance at Male' International airport was that a soldier armed in full gear, I mean holding a gun, standing just at the entrance as if he is the person kept there to welcome those tourists who are visiting Maldives for their peaceful holiday.
Do we welcome tourists with a gun or should we welcome them with and rose and a kurumba?
I agree that we have to guard our airports, but we do not need to show it so openly to tourists.
Where is our new minister SAWAD? Is he aware of anything?
And moreover, the tourism ministry should summon all the stake holders such as tour operators and travel agents or the people working at the front line and ask them for their opinion as to what we should do to improve our tourism industry.
Today the world is facing huge economic problems and we need to act fast to keep the influx of tourists steady rather than wake up one morning to see all bookings cancelled.
Bushry,
ReplyDeleteWe are with you, I certainly voted for Anni, but the intial signs we see are not very promising, there is an old dhivehi saying "Kachcha elhi bingaleh kechcha hamayah erias hunnaanee kachchah"
I have only one thing to say to Anni, you have shown us how we can oppose a dictatorial regime, Maumoon got 30 years, but you, Mr President, we will not let you bind our hands behind our back, WE WILL BRING YOU AND YOUR GOVERNMENT DOWN" Thats a promise.
Bushry,
ReplyDeleteCan you please check this out? I am told by a very relaiable cource that Ameen Faisal's to be wife and family are in singapore? their expences are borne by the Government.(Maybe you can call the Director General of MGTC) PLEASE CHECK THIS AND IF THIS IS TRUE PLEASE WRITE ABOUT THIS.
Check www.adduonline.com
ReplyDeleteWill be updated soon
hi island kid..
ReplyDeletegrandpa has some pictures of the swiming pool to fool the little ones..
No government can run with Qasim properly!!!
ReplyDeleteits suprising n shocking dat pple
ReplyDeletedoubts ur good intentions.. bt dnt bother Bush ur a grate guy and wolud alvaz be Insha Alah... keepup the gud work.. as u kno v maldivains hav a habit of leting go once a tiny part is accomplished thinking dat nature n natur would take care n would lead us to our so very wanted staf..
u kno wat ur a hero like anni to many so do not change.. lots pple lov u Bush..
Bushry.
ReplyDeletefully support what your doing..nd dont take posts personally ,,
be professional nd keep up the writing,
ss
@Bushry
ReplyDeleteSo long as you don't go along preaching in the line of religion and audacious ideas as the veiling of our pretties I'm with you.
We are already a secular state where we enjoy a very moderate view of religion - cannot allow fanaticism to come in and mess everything up.
Like I stated sometime ago, we all benefit from the exploitation of the evil that is alcohol. So there is no room for Islamic preaching anyways.
Keep up the good work you are doing. Start religious preaching and I will bash you as well ;)
ps: would be highly appreciative if you or anyone else can screw up this Mullah coalitions that seem to be popping up more and more. Especially people like this jabbar Majeed (cultist who enjoy witnessing human beheadings)
@Island Kid
ReplyDeletewhich island are u in?So ur pretties must b in bikeenees?
nd man why dont u consider joinin the military. mayb then u'll get a chance to bash som1.
"So there is no room for Islamic preaching anyways"
If there is room for night clubs, DJs, topless pretties, weed, brown sugar , alchohol , homosexuality ,murder,rape,etc,etc there will always b room for religious preaching.
Wrong anonymous 17:06. It's the police who bash people, not mostly the military in this country. So no point joining them.
ReplyDeleteAnd you do agree that there is a lot of inappropriate use of alcohol as well. And you are part of the culture who also welcome it and benefit from it. Be a FULL Muslim or live your life as the hypocrite you are. The good book and the preachings tell us that we cannot benefit from the use/sale and reap from the benefits of alcohol.
Guess you are just one of the thousands in this country who live ignorantly and as a god dammed hypocrite.
And for you information my pretties are just plain and decently dressed (if a little bit exposed) women who do not need to wear a tent. Hope you got that into your head before you open your mouth again.
Hypocrite! Half the time you Islamic preacher morons do not make any sense and squabble amongst yourselves in addition to enjoying pedophilia and whatnot. Do I need to go on?
It's called respect. Don't fuck with us. Create your preacher houses and do it in your backyards!
Bushry,MDP activist SHEHEY eynage family 12 memberunnaaeku SINGAPORE ah DR adhi naruhunnaaeku balivegen beysfaruvaa akah gendhevunu gendhevun thafseelu haama kurun v v ragalhu Ammen Faisal ves vany midhathurugai sarukaaruge furihama himaayathugai bodu kharadhukoggen vany gosfai sarukaaruge HONEY MOON dhuvasvaru mifadha kameh kuribayaku dhen kuraanee konfadha kamehbaaey alhugandu hithah araa??????????????????????????????/
ReplyDeleteshehey beys faruvaa ah singapore ah sarukaaruge furihama kharadhugai aailee 12 beyfulhunna mihaaruge defence ministeruge furihama himaayathuga gendhevunugothuge thafseelu Bushry genes dhinun v v bodah edhen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
ReplyDeleteBushree,
ReplyDeleteI read your articles, and supported you for a long time. But not anymore! I am very sorry to say that now I see pure hatred for personal reasons in your writings!