Defining Moments 2008

Maldivians have endured the hypocrisy and double standards of elected leaders for thirty years. The lingering legacy of the outgoing fascist regime's 'divide and rule' concept is deeply entrenched in today's society. The present coalition government's politicians are struggling to work in unity for the common cause of governing the nation. They only know how to work in their self interest. These politicians have no real desire for public service. They are there to seek power and profit.

Given that democracy is a system of rule by laws and not by individuals, we have just begun the task of governing according to democratic principles. As a first step we have removed the one-man rule system that prevailed in Maldives up to now. For the first time in our history multiple parties contested and we have chosen our government through a free and fair election.

This is a turning point in our history. Now it is time for elected leaders to be held accountable for their policies and conduct in office.

Since power flows from the people to the elected leaders in a democracy, the active participation of citizens is necessary in politics. Whereas in the past we were coping in blissful ignorance, now we, the citizens through our representatives in parliament should observe and criticise on how the government is run. The civil society also has to engage in the political process as a check on the affairs of the government. The civil society would include groups of different interests like workers, businessman, fishermen, doctors, teachers, professionals and students.

If we go by the behaviour of our politicians in the past, we know that our nascent democracy is fraught with difficulties. This year marks the end of the painstakingly slow process of revising our constitution. What was praised as a world class document and completed in 17 years had to be revised dramatically after a few years. Another three years and millions of rupees later, we now have a revised constitution. It is time to practice what is in the constitution. The government has to be trustworthy and the people have to be free and independent. One of the important pillars of a democracy is the free press. Journalists need to scrutinize public policy and inform the public and the public needs to engage in the political process. Elections need to be held at regular intervals and the public need to exercise their vote.

We appear to be on the right path now. It took thirty years to destroy our values and plunder our wealth through mismanagement and corruption. Although democracy has finally arrived, a lot of hard work needs to be done.