Qasim Ibrahim Resigns - What's Next?

Home minister Gasim Ibrahim's resignation comes after heavy criticism over the police confrontation with the peaceful protestors at Reethi Rah resort on his orders. And the reason for his resignation as stated by him was the failure to release funds for the improvement of prisons by the Ministry of Finance and due to other such issues. However, it's crystal clear that this was not the reason for his resignation. He could not face the pressure and finally had to give in. And perhaps he has other plans too. It's funny how Qasim Ibrahim gives resignation each time. Don't you think so?

Now the question is whether we should consider this as a good or bad sign for the government.

This could mean that other such resignations would follow in the subsequent days, from people who are loyal to Qasim, thereby creating friction in the quick progress for a stable government and for the implementing of its policies. Also there would be the uncertainity of having a majority in the upcoming parliament for the MDP led government. This could mean a huge blow for MDP in its failure to deliver it's promises for the people. Without a clear majority, there will be no quarantee for any of the governments policies to be passed in the majlis.

On the other hand, Qasim Ibrahim's resignation could be a good sign for the MDP led government since alot of people don't accept Qasim Ibrahim as a competent person for such a post and also because he is a wealthy businessman who could have a major influence over the governments policies, specially over the tourism industry. People don't trust Qasim Ibrahim anymore and are doubtful of his intentions. Well, whatever his intentions are, the incident that happened in Reethi Rah resort have once and for all, ruined his bid for presidency.

Dr. Hassan Saeed is a figure who has a strong influence over the government and the reason why he did not take up a Ministerial post shows that his bid for presidency is stronger than ever. Dr. Hassan is already busy forming his own political party and only time would tell when Dr. Hassan, Dr. Jameel and Dr. Shaheed would make their move to destroy MDPs image inorder to win public support for their party to win the Parliamentry and Presidendial Election. They are just waiting for the right moment.

From all that is happening, it seems that it would be a long winding road for a stable government. So much for the Gaumee Iththihaadh!

It is obvious that there would be huge challenges for HEP Mohamed Nasheed in the days to come.

One can only imagine what lies ahead for the new government.

It's Too Early For The New Gov. To Face Protests

It has not even been a month since HEP Mohamed Nasheed's government took office and already protests against decisions made and proposed by the new government have started. Tension have already begun building up among the people due to the looming uncertainity of the capacity of the new government. It's certainly not a healthy sign for a new government!

I was shocked to hear the news that Star Force Police was sent to Reethi Rah resort to crackdown on the peaceful protest by the resort staff who were demanding their legimate rights as per the new constituition. Human rights were violated and a number of people were badly injured due to the crackdown. Was Qasim Ibrahim in his full senses when he demanded the Commissioner of Police that Star Force be sent to crack down the peaceful protest? I heard that the Commissioner of Police was actually against the decision but he did not have a choice after Qasim Ibrahim insisted. Didn't Qasim realize what the outcome would be? Why didn't the government sent some deligates to talk to the protestors in the first place? All these are questions that many people have in their minds.

And apart from the "not so pleasing" cabinet appointments and state ministerial appointments, the bill submitted to Majlis for resorts to be leased for 50 years is another worrying proposal by the government as such that the fear of the gap between the rich and the poor would grow more. It's also a conflict of interest issue as some strong businessmen (resort owners) are in the cabinet and also holding high posts in the government. For example; Qasim Ibrahim, the Home Minister himself owns more than 5 or more resorts. Dhiyana Saeed, The Attorney General is Abdulla Jabir's wife who is a well known businesman. Ali Sawad, the Tourism Minister was Qasim's running mate during the presidential campaign. Due to such reasons and the doubtful purpose of the proposal, so many people are against the lease of resorts for 50 years. If the policy is advantageous for the people, then the people should be made aware of the advantages of this policy. A protest was also carried out by some political parties (DRP, IDP & SLP) against the policy. What does the government make out of all this? DRP should not be underestimated nor other political parties. The new government should not wake the "sleeping giant".

People are also loosing confidence in the government's proposal for privatization of state owned companies for similar reasons mentioned above.

Decentralization of the administrative structure of atolls could prove a good thing for the people but i wonder if it's too early for the new government to implement it. Are people ready for this? Perhaps more time need be given for such new changes to be brought about in the country. I think it's important to do an indepth research on the present situation of the country in all areas before implementing new policies. In my view, people also needs to adjust to these kind of changes in a slow & steady pace, considering the Maldivian culture and the maturity of the people to new systems and policies. Awareness programs need to be conducted, targeted to specially those living in the atolls before implementing policies which are totally new to the people.

People are worried about the economical situation of the country. The difficulty in getting US Dollars from the Banks is a good indicator that there are worrying economical issues in the country. Even big businesses are finding difficult to get dollars in their own accounts. Ofcourse this is not the result of the new government's policies. But due to poor financial policies set by the former government, lots of money that was spent carelesly in the presidential campaign and not to mention the "spending spree" by the ex-president. The question is what are the plans in place to tackle the global financial crisis that is affecting the country and as well as the growing inflation in the country. The dollar rate could be held at the current rate for sometime. But for how long? What is been done to cut down the costs? What could the public do on their side that could perhaps help the government to tackle the problem? The Finance Minister needs to le the public know what the real economical situation of the country is and also to propose relevant solutions to teh crisis and subsequently share the information with the public media.

Some notorious prisoners have also been released who were convicted of drug charges and other crimes during Qayyoom's regime. Though they were convicted during Qayyoom's regime, does not necessarily make them innocent of the crimes they really did commit. These are unacceptable decisions made on poor judgment.

It was with great hope people voted for HEP Mohamed Nasheed and people still support him and trust him. People do beleive that President Nasheed's intentions are good. But President Nasheed needs to be stronger and needs to be the "man in charge". People like Qasim Ibrahim, ADK Nashid, Abdulla Shahid (State Minister for Defence) and the likes should be removed from the government if he expects people to beleive in his government and also President Nasheed needs to seriously consider and change some of the proposed government policies that are not accepted by a great number of people in the country.

If these are not done soon, I am afraid that the new government would "fall" and it won't take long for the Maldivian people to start having doubts of what HEP Mohamed Nasheed really fought for all these years.

People have already started chanting praises to former president Maumoon Abdul Qayyoom. "Maumoon huri iruves mi ah vure rangalheh noon!", "mieetha thibunaa Aneh Dhivehi Raajjeyge haalathakee?"

Your excellency, Please do not fail us.

Abdulla Shahid as the State Minister for Defence???

I simply cannot comprehend why HEP Mohamed Nasheed appointed Abdulla Shahid as the State Minister for Defence. It's not that i have anything against Abdulla Shahid nor i doubt of his capacity to execute the duties required by the post. But i just cannot understand why HEP Mohamed Nasheed would appoint Abdulla Shahid when he was one of the men who was convicted of his involvement in the coup plot lead by Luthfy and Sagaru Nasir on 3rd Nov 1988! This was the day so many lives were lost and till this day, the memories are still fresh in the minds of many Maldivians who witnessed the horrific events that took place.

Maybe Abdulla Shahid was falsely convicted. I am not sure. However, for 20 years or so, that is what all Maldivians were made to beleive and till today, the new government has not come up with a statement or a press breifing regarding the matter - For the public to know that Abdulla Shahid is innocent of the charges made against him and therefore he is eligible for the post. Since none of this was done, I would say that appointing Abdulla Shahid as the State Minister for Defence is a bad move made made by HEP Mohamed Nasheed.

Ofcourse there are other people also, who were appointed for senior posts who does not qualify for such posts and who have had a bad background. But Abdulla Shahid being appointed as State Minister for Defence is quite different as we are talking about 3rd Nov 2008! He had been convicted and sentenced for many years in Jail. Thus, it cannot be justified. Maybe this move was made to "humiliate" Qayyoom. But then it is ridiculous. I wonder why the Majlis approved the appointment considering the seriousness of the matter.

Then there is also the question if the Maldivian National Defence Force personnel would be happy to work under Abdulla Shahid? For me, all this is simply heinous!

Well, I can only hope that in future, HEP Mohamed Nasheed would make more sensible moves and atleast consult with his advisors and the relevant personnel before appointing a person for such a post. I also hope that the Majlis would play a far greater role against these kind of decisions made by the elected government or by the President himself.

The Wasted 30 Years

It is with great disappointment I must say that the 30 years during Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom's presidency went to waste. Nothing fruitful was done for the nation as such, during the past 30 years. I'm not saying that "nothing" was done, but not much was done that would have made a good impact on the livelihoods of the Maldivian people.

When comparing former President Maumoon Abdul Qayyoom's 30 years of presidency ( 11 November 1978 – 11 November 2008) to former President (Late) Ibrahim Nasir's 10 years of presidency ( 11 November 1968 – 11 November 1978) , it's evident that it was during former President (Late) Ibrahim Nasir's 10 years of presidency that almost all the major foundations were laid for the nation's development. So much was done in this 10 year period which made it possible for the transformation of this small isolated nation to a world famous tourist destination. He introduced an english based modern curriculumn to government schools, brought the small country's name to the list of the United Nations member countries, introduced Telecommunication, brought TV & Radio, abolished many taxes on various imports to the country, built the first international airport in the Maldives, brought about the independence of Maldives from being a protectorate of the British, introduced the modern engine dhoanies and many other important things for the nation's development. Maldives even boasted about it's shipping line then!

On the other hand, during Maumoon Abdul Qayyoom's 30 years of presidency, nothing new was done nor nothing fruitful for the people based for a longer term. Only "important" thing that was done was to make sure that the people were left in the dark as ignorants. Maumoon Abdul Qayyoom took full credit for what former President (Late) Ibrahim Nasir did for the nation and coninued the predecessor's legacy in his own name. Drugs, crime & corruption increased at an alarming rate. The rich got richer and the poor got only poorer. Formed a cult after abolishing "beyfulhism" and it seems like that this cult thing won't die for some more years to come. His family members & relatives were given senior posts in the cabinet and promotions were given to the most corrupt people and made them as his close people.

Anyway, let's be thankful to God that the nightmare is finally over!! I hope that this new government under the leadership of HEP Mohamed Nasheed would be able to atleast change the course of this country in the right direction and do some good for the people in this 5 year period.

We do not want to waste any more years. Again.

Former President H.E (Late) Ibrahim Nasir - Founder of The Modern Maldives

First and foremost, i wish to convey my condolences to the family of former President H.E. (late) Ibrahim Nasir. May he rest in peace and May Allah Almighty grant him the eternal blessings of paradise.

No human being is perfect and so was Former president H.E. (late) Ibrahim Nasir. I would say that he did alot of good for the country as well some bad done during his presidency. But looking at the bigger picture, it would be clear that it was during (Late) Ibrahim Nasir's presidency that almost all the important foundations were laid for the development of this nation. He had all the traits of a great leader. He was intelligent, had a strong personality and had the vision to take this isolated small nation to great heights of prosperity. If he was the President of Maldives instead of Qayyoom during that 30 year period, i can bet that it Maldives would be Asia's most developed country!

Former President H.E. (late) Ibrahim Nasir is given credit for Maldives gaining full independence from the British in 1965. He is also credited for introducing the current school curriculum, modernising the fisheries industry, initiating tourism etc. If i were to list down all that he had done for the country, i would have to do a research on that as so much had been done during his presidency.

H.E (late) Ibrahim Nasir is undoubtedly the "Mahatma Gandhi" of the Maldives. Founder of The Modern Maldives.

Like almost all leaders, H.E. (late) Ibrahim Nasir was also criticised for human rights abuses and the use of authoritarian methods against opponents, such as a crackdown on a 1959 breakaway republic in the south of the country. In my view, its a must that any government should crack down such a movement. Ofcourse, the methodology used should be appropriate and humane. However, it seems that things got out of control. There was blood shed as the Thinadhuians did not surrender after the first warning gun shots were fired into the air. But I cannot judge on what really happened, with the little information i have on this incident. so i would stop here.

I was not the least suprsised when Maumoon conveyed his own condolences to the family of (late) Former president H.E Ibrahim Nasir. Probably you too. Qayyoom, the man who never takes off the mask of innocense.

If Maumoon thinks that the people of the Maldives have forgotten how he ridiculed late Ibrahim Nasir and his family upon his departure from the Maldives, he is very much mistaken. The people of the Maldives, young or old knows very well how Maumoon treated Late Ibrahim Nasir's family, his relatives and also the Ministers of his cabinet. And the people are fully aware of the reason why Late Ibrahim Nasir could never set his foot in his own home land during the 30 year period.

Qayyoom wanted to be seen as a revolutionary leader, when he was offered the presidential post by Late Ibrahim Nasir himself! The MPs in the Majlis only endorsed Qayyoom on the request of Late Ibrahim Nasir and not for any other reason. But soon he forgot all that and showed his true colors. I have a feeling that Maumoon feels inferior to Late Ibrahim Nasir and thus, the jealousy.

It's good if Maumoon realizes how it would have been like if HEP Mohamed Nasheed treated him the same way. But i have my doubts. Probably Maumoon would think HEP Mohamed Nasheed would not have guts to ridicule him as Qayyoom has thousands of supporters behind him! Hah

For 30 years, little we knew of our former president H.E(late) Ibrahim Nasir. Maumoon did all he could to erase the history of his invaluable contribution for the development of this Nation. But God had other plans. Today, every Maldivian knows that it was (late) H.E former President (late) Ibrahim Nasir who is the father of the modern Maldives. And not Qayyoom!

Qayyoom. Please take off that mask. It no longer serves you the purpose of hiding your true self.