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.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
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.
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.
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