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.