Keep the Focus on the Real Issues

The Maldivian politicians have always used a scare tactic making the citizens believe that the infidels will come and convert them to kafirs. DRP used this tactic when they were in government. In opposition they now say that they are the only people who can preserve Islam. DRP says that the country is on the wrong track and they need 60 seats in the new parliament to save the country. What is wrong with the track that we are on now? We have heard this type of rhetoric before. These narcissists could not find it in Islam to run a just government for our small nation 300,000 Muslims. It was the threat from the European Union and the western concept of a Human Rights Commission that gave our rights to us.

How then can DRP provide justice, better health and education, maintain equitable distribution of wealth and stop the illegal drugs if they are following the same old failed policies that got them thrown out of power after thirty years?

As the biggest opposition party, DRP has to cut out the political nonsense to deceive the people. Where they have made mistakes, they must accept responsibility for the specific issues publicly. Where they disagree with the MDP coalition, they should offer alternative policies so that the public can make informed decisions when choosing MPs.

Debate about the real issues. Stop the fear mongering about religion. The rich have become richer while the poor remained poor. Political parties should offer their policies on how to reduce poverty, stop illegal drugs and treat addicts, provide better opportunities and create diverse employment without only depending on tourism. Just talking about them doesn't solve the problem. Concrete action has to be taken. Our people are cynical because politicians are self-centred and have failed the people time and time again.

Even the parliament, the peoples representatives have failed to look after the peoples' interest. Mohamed Shihab, the current speaker thinks that he can operate above the law.

What is important is for the government and the opposition parties to address the country's problems. Opposition parties should criticise the government's policies on its method of decentralisation to its policy on employment. Anybody who is anybody of MDP is getting employed these days. While some criticisms may be unfounded, the government must still welcome the ability of the people to offer such criticisms. That is the spirit of the freedom of the press guaranteed in the constitution. Journalists need to ask probing questions on the politics and policy of the government. The public has to be informed and educated about how the public officials function. This task may not be easy since we are on a learning curve and the decentralisation process is picking up pace across atolls and islands. If the Nasheed government is committed to transparency, then we are on the right track.