Emerging political theatre

Maldivians are seeing for the first time an amazing new phenomenon; the political melodramas that are played in the parliament. Heightened public interest over the lethargic legislative proceedings is making this quite a spectacle. Our revered institution is made to look buffoonery.

The process of trying to pass a bill involves complex maneuvering, sometimes back stabbing and this makes it quite an intriguing experience. Judging by the squabbles that are going on, the impression is that members are engaging in senseless debate.

Beyond the chamber of the parliament, there is intense lobbying for change by various interest groups. The drumbeat of the political parties is to bring down the incumbent government. Nationalistic sentiments and populist propaganda are used to win the hearts and minds of a population that was unsuspecting up till now. Even the religious zealots who are not yet in the mainstream, are watching from the sidelines ready to pounce on every opportunity that comes their way.

A case on point; for this seemingly tolerant 100 percent Muslim nation, recently there was an incident involving the image of Buddha put up on a tourist resort. There was public fury and an outcry to save the motherland from religious impurity. Before the usual assault was launched fully, the general manager of the resort fled the country by taking the first flight out.

Recently one political party took to the street on a hunger strike protesting against the high retail prices of essential food commodities.

Our population is still not used to the plot lines of this kind of political play. Politicians and feuding personalities are changing sides not in keeping up with any ideology or conviction but merely for personal gains. Amidst the political wrangling, the country is sinking into deeper chaos.

Our nation has several issues that require immediate action, such as reducing poverty and providing equal justice, action against drug addiction and the drug trade, national health care and education, housing and perhaps every aspect of our life.

Instead of taking action on the real issues our parliament is virtually stuck, petty politicking over the last three years to change a constitution that took 17 years to make. Problems don't get solved just by making speeches. Decisive action has to be taken to achieve results.

Amidst all the chaos, the present reform process in Maldives is turning out to be a national soap opera heavily influenced by the business elites.

Freedom of press is one area where we have made significant progress within a short period of time. The free press which is an essential component of a democracy, is helping to increase public awareness of the individual rights and the political issues of the country.

With the new found freedom, journalists by the nature of their profession bear the heavy responsibility to disentangle the political jargon and inform the public accurately and without bias or favour. This will always remain an important challenge and the cornerstone of success in a democracy.

In the first democracy in Athens, the Greeks engaged in open-minded examination of controversial and critical issues in order to develop their society. We need intelligent people to do so for our society.

For a nation that takes pride as a 100 percent Muslim nation, Maldives is playing the game of democracy with unsettling zeal. For this Conservative-in-faith society, the road ahead towards democracy (a liberal one ?) is a treacherous journey.

In a national referendum in March 1968, Maldivians abolished the Sultanate and established a Republic for the second time, having earlier deposed the President of the First Republic through violent means which reflects a dark chapter in our history.

Now after a lapse of 38 years, we have realised that we are using an outdated presidential form of government. Once again we have begun the arduous task of educating a nation about the full version of presidency versus the parliamentary form of government.

For the most part, Maldivians don't care about what form it is. They were happy as long as they were able to have food on the table and live a peaceful life. But all that has changed now. They will no longer surrender their rights to the elites who have the priviledge to live opulent lives.

Now the people who remain at the bottom of the economic ladder will sell their votes only to the highest bidder- whatever the system that gets chosen. The real problem is not the system, but rather how the system has been used.

If a parliamentary system is chosen, we need to write our own Magna Carta that should enshrine the rights and responsibilities between parliament from whose majority the prime minister is appointed and a ceremonial president.

At best, the final outcome of this political play of choosing a political system can be considered a sad success.