Maldives vice president Mohamed Waheed Hassan Maniku has said the new working hours, 8am to 4pm introduced recently will bring a lifestyle change.
This is not the first time our government has changed the working hours. President Ibrahim Nasir changed it, president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom changed it and now president Mohamed Nasheed has changed the working hours. When Nasir left the presidency, we had a disciplined workforce who made it possible to fly the Maldivian flag on Maldivian ships that plied all around the world. When Gayoom was ousted from power after 30 years in office in the first multi-party elections, we have become a highly self-centred society with a third of our youth addicted to illegal drugs. Now it is Nasheed's turn to change our lifestyle and let history judge his stewardship.
The VP has urged bosses of government offices to keep a fridge and micro oven inside the office. Assume this is to prepare a hot snack or meal. Male' is less than 1 square mile and no one has any difficulty reaching home at any point in Male'. We need to bring more change than this to change our lifestyle. Though we have 40 per cent of our population living below the 1 US dollar poverty line, our country is rich. Palatial buildings and luxury yachts are available for our politicians. Changing the mindset of politicians is the first step of the change that is required.
President Nasheed who has suffered numerous imprisonment and torture himself for speaking and writing against the government has to now show how a government serves the people in the interest of the public. The Gayoom government never understood this concept. To them political power was the opportunity to spend the state's resources to live a lavish lifestyle and increase the personal wealth for themselves. As a result they neglected the poor and corruption has become a hallmark of our society.
Therefore, a change of lifestyle is definitely needed. The president and ministers must be held accountable for the power entrusted to them. We also need to find a way to rein in our members of the parliament. Nowadays parliamentary proceedings are turning out to be quite a spectacle for public amusement. When MPs are paid MRF 63,000 a month, it is not enough for members to yell at each other to settle old scores. It is not enough for Mohamed Shihab to abuse his position as the speaker. These highly paid MPs should devote their time to legislate and improve the lives of the people. Parliamentary privilege doesn't mean they should be allowed to abuse their authority.
President Nasheed and Vice President Waheed. Now it is your turn to change our lifestyle and set the mark of your presidency.
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
What Went Wrong?
Here is what president Mohamed Nasheed said to a journalist from the UK. (link)
"Every evil you think a society could have has found a home here in the Maldives,” Nasheed says. “We have inherited beautiful buildings from the previous regime, but almost empty coffers. There is an acute shortage of housing, sanitation, water, health, education, transport and basic infrastructures for a decent life.”
In addition, 30% of the country’s youth (and 75% of the population is below 35 years old) are now heroin addicts.
What has gone so horribly wrong to bring our country to this situation?
After 30 years of high GDP growth that has made the rich very happy, how did 40 per cent of our population manage to stay below the poverty line of less than 1 USD a day? How did this laid back society living in relative peace find explosive growth of illegal drugs?
Is this the same country that former foreign minister Abdulla Shahid is talking about, praising its development and human rights at every opportunity?
If it is a bad government that has brought our population to such a national nightmare that should never be repeated, president Nasheed owes it to our nation to explain to us who is responsible for such behaviour and how it can be avoided for our future generations.
"Every evil you think a society could have has found a home here in the Maldives,” Nasheed says. “We have inherited beautiful buildings from the previous regime, but almost empty coffers. There is an acute shortage of housing, sanitation, water, health, education, transport and basic infrastructures for a decent life.”
In addition, 30% of the country’s youth (and 75% of the population is below 35 years old) are now heroin addicts.
What has gone so horribly wrong to bring our country to this situation?
After 30 years of high GDP growth that has made the rich very happy, how did 40 per cent of our population manage to stay below the poverty line of less than 1 USD a day? How did this laid back society living in relative peace find explosive growth of illegal drugs?
Is this the same country that former foreign minister Abdulla Shahid is talking about, praising its development and human rights at every opportunity?
If it is a bad government that has brought our population to such a national nightmare that should never be repeated, president Nasheed owes it to our nation to explain to us who is responsible for such behaviour and how it can be avoided for our future generations.
Monday, February 02, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Responsibilty and Accountability
America's first African-American president Barack Obama has used these words as a running theme during his long campaign to reach the white house. Maldives is following the American model of the presidential system. In the American system the president appoints the best persons for the various jobs. In the decentralising process, the Maldivian president is appointing councillors to islands and atolls based on affiliation to his party. As a result MDP loyalists and activists are given these jobs rather than choosing the best people for public service. President Nasheed's advisor Hassan Saeed who runs his own political party has voiced his concern on this problem.
We have taken the first step in the democratic process- choosing our leader from multiple contestants. We now need to come together to help the president succeed to make our lives better. After vigorous debate on policy and politics, the nation needs to come together to develop the potential of every individual citizen. This is how democracy is supposed to work. Our politicians should set aside petty differences and work to empower the poor and disadvantaged with skills and resources that will help to reduce the gap between the rich and poor.
President Naseed has a responsibility to do what is right for the nation rather than to only appease his base within the MDP. Appeasing the base has been the norm of governance during the last thirty years. Our government who were in cahoot with the rich neglected the poor and helped the rich to become richer. The Nasheed government must change this immediately.
Economists and politicians are warning us that we are now in the midst of a global recession like the one that began in 1929. The world is in crisis. Our tourism will get affected. Our politicians need to take timely action to avoid any nasty shock to our economy.
Politicians who seek public service and who get elected or appointed must be held to a high standard of responsibility. When politicians fail in their responsibility, they must be held to account. We have already heard that some democratic leaders want to prosecute president George W Bush and vice president Dick Cheney for taking the country to war in Iraq by providing false information to the Senate about the weapons of mass destruction. We need to hold our public officials accountable for the responsibility we entrust to them. Our parliament must remain the watchdog to make laws that will protect the interest of the people. That is more important than the recess they want to take. Going by how Mohamed Shihab is acting as the parliament's speaker now and as head of finance committee previously, it is clear that he is working only in the interest of the rich and powerful. It is such a shame the Judicial branch, the Supreme Court has to force the legislative branch, the parliament to do its job- a job for which every member draws Mrf 60,000 monthly- a hefty sum by Maldivian standards.
We have taken the first step in the democratic process- choosing our leader from multiple contestants. We now need to come together to help the president succeed to make our lives better. After vigorous debate on policy and politics, the nation needs to come together to develop the potential of every individual citizen. This is how democracy is supposed to work. Our politicians should set aside petty differences and work to empower the poor and disadvantaged with skills and resources that will help to reduce the gap between the rich and poor.
President Naseed has a responsibility to do what is right for the nation rather than to only appease his base within the MDP. Appeasing the base has been the norm of governance during the last thirty years. Our government who were in cahoot with the rich neglected the poor and helped the rich to become richer. The Nasheed government must change this immediately.
Economists and politicians are warning us that we are now in the midst of a global recession like the one that began in 1929. The world is in crisis. Our tourism will get affected. Our politicians need to take timely action to avoid any nasty shock to our economy.
Politicians who seek public service and who get elected or appointed must be held to a high standard of responsibility. When politicians fail in their responsibility, they must be held to account. We have already heard that some democratic leaders want to prosecute president George W Bush and vice president Dick Cheney for taking the country to war in Iraq by providing false information to the Senate about the weapons of mass destruction. We need to hold our public officials accountable for the responsibility we entrust to them. Our parliament must remain the watchdog to make laws that will protect the interest of the people. That is more important than the recess they want to take. Going by how Mohamed Shihab is acting as the parliament's speaker now and as head of finance committee previously, it is clear that he is working only in the interest of the rich and powerful. It is such a shame the Judicial branch, the Supreme Court has to force the legislative branch, the parliament to do its job- a job for which every member draws Mrf 60,000 monthly- a hefty sum by Maldivian standards.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Job Centres with Moral Obligations
According to a Minister of the Nasheed government, opening up job centres in Maldives will help young people to find jobs. The minister alluded to the fact that providing useful information to job seekers is a moral obligation of the state. It is heartening to know that one ministry is thinking about its moral obligation.
It is the duty of the government to look after its citizens. So it is more than a moral obligation not only to match jobs but to create them as well. For 30 years our government believed that their job was only to preach. They were not interested in creating jobs or maintaining them. During this same period our per capita GDP grew from US$ 300 to 3000. It is a remarkable achievement- a testament to the industrious nature of the private sector. Amazingly, during this same period the rich became richer and the poor became poorer. Thanks to our government who spent the money that could have been used on development of public services to the likes of the US 7 million yacht, seeking world class luxury normally seen in the oil-rich sheikdoms.
According to a recently released Human Rights Commission report around 12,000 families in Male’ do not have their own housing and are forced to share accommodation with other families or make do with temporary living arrangements. Housing has become so scarce that a quarter of all families in Male’ share just one room and almost 70 per cent live in accommodation that fails to meet ‘adequate housing’ criteria on the basis of overcrowding. These conditions are so appalling that these apartments are considered as slums going by the UN definition.
Presently there is an ongoing row between the Home Ministry and Civil Service Commission(CSC). The CSC claims that it had been asked to dismiss over a thousand civil servants from its employment by the home ministry; an allegation, which the ministry has denied. CSC says that they have also been asked to be make redundant a total of 381 civil servants over the age of 55. Under the Civil Service Act, the commission has the authority to retire civil servants over this age. The Home Ministry refutes this statement saying the CSC asked for such a list. The public does not know who to believe. It appears this government thinks people are a disposable asset because they do not have the strength of the unions to back them. Regardless of the type of restructuring that is taking place in the decentralisation process, those who have loyally served must be given priority to remain employed or be given the necessary training and help to look for other work. In this effort, no politician of the Nasheed government should feel it is only their moral obligation to serve public good. It is their duty and job for which they are paid to work in the interest of the public.
It is the duty of the government to look after its citizens. So it is more than a moral obligation not only to match jobs but to create them as well. For 30 years our government believed that their job was only to preach. They were not interested in creating jobs or maintaining them. During this same period our per capita GDP grew from US$ 300 to 3000. It is a remarkable achievement- a testament to the industrious nature of the private sector. Amazingly, during this same period the rich became richer and the poor became poorer. Thanks to our government who spent the money that could have been used on development of public services to the likes of the US 7 million yacht, seeking world class luxury normally seen in the oil-rich sheikdoms.
According to a recently released Human Rights Commission report around 12,000 families in Male’ do not have their own housing and are forced to share accommodation with other families or make do with temporary living arrangements. Housing has become so scarce that a quarter of all families in Male’ share just one room and almost 70 per cent live in accommodation that fails to meet ‘adequate housing’ criteria on the basis of overcrowding. These conditions are so appalling that these apartments are considered as slums going by the UN definition.
Presently there is an ongoing row between the Home Ministry and Civil Service Commission(CSC). The CSC claims that it had been asked to dismiss over a thousand civil servants from its employment by the home ministry; an allegation, which the ministry has denied. CSC says that they have also been asked to be make redundant a total of 381 civil servants over the age of 55. Under the Civil Service Act, the commission has the authority to retire civil servants over this age. The Home Ministry refutes this statement saying the CSC asked for such a list. The public does not know who to believe. It appears this government thinks people are a disposable asset because they do not have the strength of the unions to back them. Regardless of the type of restructuring that is taking place in the decentralisation process, those who have loyally served must be given priority to remain employed or be given the necessary training and help to look for other work. In this effort, no politician of the Nasheed government should feel it is only their moral obligation to serve public good. It is their duty and job for which they are paid to work in the interest of the public.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Rising Religious Tension
Every now and then religious tension rises in Maldives. The most recent problem came up due to a directive issued by President Nasheed's Ministry of Islamic Affairs. It said that dancing is not allowed in this year's new year parties. The Ministry advised that it is unislamic for males and females to dance together. Several party organisers lost money as those who enjoyed such music and dancing were kept in check by the police.
In the previous government, the mathee majlis headed by Sheik Mohamed Rasheed Ibrahim failed to maintain religious harmony. Groups of people with extreme views refused to pray in congregation with the more moderate people. Ultimately such radical thinking caused a group of young people to blow up a home made bomb in order to inflict harm on foreign tourists.
The divide between the liberal voices and the more hard line conservatives is growing wider. This is a worrisome trend.
President Nasheed is taking laudable action to bring the benefits of a decentralised economy. He also needs to show strong leadership to bring religious harmony. He should demand that politicians refrain from inciting religious and racial hatred.
In the previous government, the mathee majlis headed by Sheik Mohamed Rasheed Ibrahim failed to maintain religious harmony. Groups of people with extreme views refused to pray in congregation with the more moderate people. Ultimately such radical thinking caused a group of young people to blow up a home made bomb in order to inflict harm on foreign tourists.
The divide between the liberal voices and the more hard line conservatives is growing wider. This is a worrisome trend.
President Nasheed is taking laudable action to bring the benefits of a decentralised economy. He also needs to show strong leadership to bring religious harmony. He should demand that politicians refrain from inciting religious and racial hatred.
Friday, January 02, 2009
Cut down the recess
Our Parliament or the House of Peoples Representatives has gone into the two month year end recess. This despite the fact President Nasheed was urging the House to finish the legislative business to hold parliamentary elections in February.
The parliament sits in three sessions. First session from March to April. Parliament is in recess for the month of May. The second session is from June to August with September as the month of recess. The third session is from October to December with 2 months recess January and February.
Last year MPs decided to give themselves a pay increase of 500%. They raised their pay from Rf7,000 (US $549) per month to Rf42,500 (US $3,333), with living allowances up from Rf5,000 (US $392) to Rf20,000 (US $1,568). That is a total of RF 62,500 per month.
It is outrageous that MPs are paid such hefty salaries when the average Maldivian has to survive on Mrf 2500 per month.
It looks like our parliament goes into recess at the drop of a hat. Most of the parliamentary work is done in parliamentary committees. MPs spend time not attending meetings and debating meaningless issues. It is unbelievable that such fat salaries should be paid from the peoples money to such an unproductive institution.
For 30 years, we had a government that believed the rich elites were more important than the ordinary hard-working people from the islands. As a result of their lopsided policies the rich became richer while the poor became poorer. While in opposition the MDP and independent voices in the parliament did some impressive work. But much more needs to be done. We need to hold President Nasheed to his promises. He has campaigned to reverse the injustice and bring equitable distribution of wealth. It is therefore not acceptable when president Nasheed fails to instruct his own members in the parliament to complete the legislative work without taking the recess. President Nasheed must know that the ordinary citizens have suffered for too long and he must get down to govern seriously if wants to put the system right. No organ of the state can afford to be lax.
The parliament sits in three sessions. First session from March to April. Parliament is in recess for the month of May. The second session is from June to August with September as the month of recess. The third session is from October to December with 2 months recess January and February.
Last year MPs decided to give themselves a pay increase of 500%. They raised their pay from Rf7,000 (US $549) per month to Rf42,500 (US $3,333), with living allowances up from Rf5,000 (US $392) to Rf20,000 (US $1,568). That is a total of RF 62,500 per month.
It is outrageous that MPs are paid such hefty salaries when the average Maldivian has to survive on Mrf 2500 per month.
It looks like our parliament goes into recess at the drop of a hat. Most of the parliamentary work is done in parliamentary committees. MPs spend time not attending meetings and debating meaningless issues. It is unbelievable that such fat salaries should be paid from the peoples money to such an unproductive institution.
For 30 years, we had a government that believed the rich elites were more important than the ordinary hard-working people from the islands. As a result of their lopsided policies the rich became richer while the poor became poorer. While in opposition the MDP and independent voices in the parliament did some impressive work. But much more needs to be done. We need to hold President Nasheed to his promises. He has campaigned to reverse the injustice and bring equitable distribution of wealth. It is therefore not acceptable when president Nasheed fails to instruct his own members in the parliament to complete the legislative work without taking the recess. President Nasheed must know that the ordinary citizens have suffered for too long and he must get down to govern seriously if wants to put the system right. No organ of the state can afford to be lax.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Momentous 2008
The people voted in the first multi-party contest and brought an MDP alliance to power. The era of voting for one candidate is over. We now face the challenges of a young democracy.
We need to have an educated citizenry that is aware of its rights and understands the new political process. The rule of law through the independent judiciary has to be the bedrock of our economic development. Our government has to go beyond its dependency on rent-seeking of the tourist resorts. It has to redistribute wealth by allocating financial resources to create diverse economic development in the disadvantaged islands. Political openness and decentralisation which the MDP alliance has embarked on is a step in the right direction. Thus, the present government is moving away from giving favours like granting state loans to special interests who support politicians and keep them in power. The media has to play a vigorous role to educate the citizens who in turn must engage in the political process.
The emergence of independent democratic institutions can help to advance the concept of personal freedom and individual choice.
An ingenious idea has been floated by the vice president Mohamed Waheed hassan Maniku. Global warming and sea level rise could inundate the Maldive Islands in 100 years. As a long term strategy, the VP suggested to create a sovereign wealth fund, modelled on those established in oil-rich Middle Eastern states. Presumably the purpose of the Maldives sovereign wealth fund will be to buy land in another country to house stateless Maldivians. (Source)
We need to have an educated citizenry that is aware of its rights and understands the new political process. The rule of law through the independent judiciary has to be the bedrock of our economic development. Our government has to go beyond its dependency on rent-seeking of the tourist resorts. It has to redistribute wealth by allocating financial resources to create diverse economic development in the disadvantaged islands. Political openness and decentralisation which the MDP alliance has embarked on is a step in the right direction. Thus, the present government is moving away from giving favours like granting state loans to special interests who support politicians and keep them in power. The media has to play a vigorous role to educate the citizens who in turn must engage in the political process.
The emergence of independent democratic institutions can help to advance the concept of personal freedom and individual choice.
An ingenious idea has been floated by the vice president Mohamed Waheed hassan Maniku. Global warming and sea level rise could inundate the Maldive Islands in 100 years. As a long term strategy, the VP suggested to create a sovereign wealth fund, modelled on those established in oil-rich Middle Eastern states. Presumably the purpose of the Maldives sovereign wealth fund will be to buy land in another country to house stateless Maldivians. (Source)
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
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.
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.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Happiness is contagious!
In a study that looked at the happiness of nearly 5,000 individuals over a period of 20 years, researchers at Harvard Medical School and the University of California, San Diego, found that one person’s happiness triggers a chain reaction that benefits not only their friends, but their friends’ friends, and their friends’ friends’ friends. The effect lasts for up to one year.
The flip side, interestingly, is not the case: Sadness does not spread through social networks as robustly as happiness. Happiness appears to love company more so than misery.
Read more about this research on Harvard.
The flip side, interestingly, is not the case: Sadness does not spread through social networks as robustly as happiness. Happiness appears to love company more so than misery.
Read more about this research on Harvard.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Mute response to deter street killings
Tackling gang violence is not a “police problem” and there are limits to investigating gang-related crime, according to the assistant commissioner of police.
So the police have constraints and the Government is looking for excuses to pass the blame.
The Gayoom government made sure that it addicted our youth to illegal drugs by taking a lax attitude to drug trafficking during the last thirty years. Many Maldivians accuse some leading officials of the Gayoom government of conniving with the drug traffickers to benefit financially. This is the reason why the Gayoom Government did not have the political will to stop the menace of the illegal drug trade. The explosion of street violence has a direct link to the widespread abuse and addiction to the illegal drugs.
President Nasheed's MDP campaigned to clean up this mess.
But the way to do that is not to pass the buck from one to another.
The feuding street gangs are settling the final score by killing each other.
The suspects in the last two street murder cases of Ali Ishar and Shifau Ismail were released a month before presidential elections on court order. No one has been charged in court for these murders yet.
To provide safety for the people, the police will have to crack down hard on such violent street gangs and the legal system will have to impose appropriate deterrent sentences without delay. Justice delayed is justice lost.
Nasheed's government will be failing to provide safety to the citizens if it does not take tough action immediately to stop this deadly violence.
link:Minivannews
So the police have constraints and the Government is looking for excuses to pass the blame.
The Gayoom government made sure that it addicted our youth to illegal drugs by taking a lax attitude to drug trafficking during the last thirty years. Many Maldivians accuse some leading officials of the Gayoom government of conniving with the drug traffickers to benefit financially. This is the reason why the Gayoom Government did not have the political will to stop the menace of the illegal drug trade. The explosion of street violence has a direct link to the widespread abuse and addiction to the illegal drugs.
President Nasheed's MDP campaigned to clean up this mess.
But the way to do that is not to pass the buck from one to another.
The feuding street gangs are settling the final score by killing each other.
The suspects in the last two street murder cases of Ali Ishar and Shifau Ismail were released a month before presidential elections on court order. No one has been charged in court for these murders yet.
To provide safety for the people, the police will have to crack down hard on such violent street gangs and the legal system will have to impose appropriate deterrent sentences without delay. Justice delayed is justice lost.
Nasheed's government will be failing to provide safety to the citizens if it does not take tough action immediately to stop this deadly violence.
link:Minivannews
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Reforms could turn on its head
First, condolences to the family of the young man, Samir Abdul Mueen, who was killed by gang violence in Male' yesterday.
President Nasheed's government has had enough time to initiate tough action to hunt down the leading thugs of gangster groups responsible for such violence and lock them up after due process of the law. But this government like the previous Gayoom government is soft-pedalling and we have lost one more person to the senseless violence. Unless these insane criminals are sternly dealt with, no one is safe in Maldives.
The campaign promises of MDP for a good life in the 'other Maldives' can only be realised if the coalition leaders exercise good judgement and take timely action. The recent incident of sending riot police to remove 13 striking workers from an operating resort has shown the lack of sound judgment of the former home minister Gasim Ibrahim, a key partner in the MDP coalition.
The striking workers are not the nation's enemies. The strike would not have gone to that extent if not for the inaptitude of the resort management.
If such incidents get repeated in the tourist resorts, Maldives will turn into a pariah paradise. Managements and workers have to find a way to work amicably and resolve disputes in civility.
The Maldivian peoples vote has defeated the mass manipulators of Gayoom's fascist government who deprived the people justice and their rights for thirty years.
Urgent measures must be taken now to restore the public's trust on the government.
President Nasheed has personally suffered the torture and injustice of a brutally unjust government. Many people have lost their lives in unexplained and questionable circumstances in the state's prisons. Even Evan Naseem's murderers convicted by the court to death are roaming free in Male' instead of being locked up.
President Nasheed has only a short honeymoon to put things right. I agree that he should call for dignity and respect to the former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom as he has done. But as our president, he also has to be the leading voice calling to bring to justice those who perpetrated serious crimes with incriminating evidence.
During MDP's campaign Ibrahim Hussain Zaki, the current special envoy to the president spoke about creating a "truth and reconciliation committee" to start the healing process. Nothing has been done on this promise as though it is not urgent enough.
President Nasheed got elected because the majority of Maldivians wanted change and a just government. Many believe that president Nasheed has good intentions. But good intentions without decisive and strong leadership will not deliver the promised changes. While ministers should have the authority to work independently and be held accountable, the president should be kept informed timely of such situations as the deployment of riot police to use force against the public.
To make governing more difficult, president Nasheed has to muddle through coalition politics. We knew the challenges are formidable but failure should never be considered an option due to our desperate plight.
President Nasheed's government has had enough time to initiate tough action to hunt down the leading thugs of gangster groups responsible for such violence and lock them up after due process of the law. But this government like the previous Gayoom government is soft-pedalling and we have lost one more person to the senseless violence. Unless these insane criminals are sternly dealt with, no one is safe in Maldives.
The campaign promises of MDP for a good life in the 'other Maldives' can only be realised if the coalition leaders exercise good judgement and take timely action. The recent incident of sending riot police to remove 13 striking workers from an operating resort has shown the lack of sound judgment of the former home minister Gasim Ibrahim, a key partner in the MDP coalition.
The striking workers are not the nation's enemies. The strike would not have gone to that extent if not for the inaptitude of the resort management.
If such incidents get repeated in the tourist resorts, Maldives will turn into a pariah paradise. Managements and workers have to find a way to work amicably and resolve disputes in civility.
The Maldivian peoples vote has defeated the mass manipulators of Gayoom's fascist government who deprived the people justice and their rights for thirty years.
Urgent measures must be taken now to restore the public's trust on the government.
President Nasheed has personally suffered the torture and injustice of a brutally unjust government. Many people have lost their lives in unexplained and questionable circumstances in the state's prisons. Even Evan Naseem's murderers convicted by the court to death are roaming free in Male' instead of being locked up.
President Nasheed has only a short honeymoon to put things right. I agree that he should call for dignity and respect to the former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom as he has done. But as our president, he also has to be the leading voice calling to bring to justice those who perpetrated serious crimes with incriminating evidence.
During MDP's campaign Ibrahim Hussain Zaki, the current special envoy to the president spoke about creating a "truth and reconciliation committee" to start the healing process. Nothing has been done on this promise as though it is not urgent enough.
President Nasheed got elected because the majority of Maldivians wanted change and a just government. Many believe that president Nasheed has good intentions. But good intentions without decisive and strong leadership will not deliver the promised changes. While ministers should have the authority to work independently and be held accountable, the president should be kept informed timely of such situations as the deployment of riot police to use force against the public.
To make governing more difficult, president Nasheed has to muddle through coalition politics. We knew the challenges are formidable but failure should never be considered an option due to our desperate plight.
Friday, December 05, 2008
50 million rufiya to oust Gayoom
News reports citing the Commissioner of Elections in Maldives revealed the following amounts spent on the campaign for the recently concluded presidential election.
Gayoom's DRP 33.2 million
Nasheed's MDP 29.9 million
Gasim's Republic 13.9 million
Hassan Saeed 2.8 million
Umar Naseer's IDP 1.5 million
Ibrahim Ismail's SLP 1.8 million
The different parties that campaigned in the presidential election to oust Gayoom's Government had one thing in common. They all wanted to defeat the Gayoom Government that ruled the Maldives for thirty years.
Why did we need the party system? We are told by the politicians and political pundits that multiple parties are needed to enhance democracy.
Political parties came into being in Maldives in order to find a method to escape the tyranny from a fascist one party-government led by Maumoon Abdul Gayoom who only supported the capitalistic elites for thirty years.
Now we have to learn about the shortcomings of the party system.
MDP coalition's Home minister Gasim Ibrahim resigned on Wednesday evening, after 22 days in office, stating the new administration failed to release funds for the improvement of prisons. Gasim’s announcement follows heavy criticism over a violent confrontation between police and protesting employees at the five-star One and Only resort. Gasim ordered police to go to the island.
Gasim's Republican party has not yet decided on their continued support for the MDP coalition.
Now the Republican party will be thinking of how to score political points within he MDP alliance or pull out from the government. MDP will think of political horse-trading to keep its government from falling.
In the United States, people are born into either Republican or Democratic families, almost like an inherited religion. Americans are getting tired of the abuses of the party system, and more and more are declaring themselves independent and moving away from the political parties.
Gayoom's DRP 33.2 million
Nasheed's MDP 29.9 million
Gasim's Republic 13.9 million
Hassan Saeed 2.8 million
Umar Naseer's IDP 1.5 million
Ibrahim Ismail's SLP 1.8 million
The different parties that campaigned in the presidential election to oust Gayoom's Government had one thing in common. They all wanted to defeat the Gayoom Government that ruled the Maldives for thirty years.
Why did we need the party system? We are told by the politicians and political pundits that multiple parties are needed to enhance democracy.
Political parties came into being in Maldives in order to find a method to escape the tyranny from a fascist one party-government led by Maumoon Abdul Gayoom who only supported the capitalistic elites for thirty years.
Now we have to learn about the shortcomings of the party system.
MDP coalition's Home minister Gasim Ibrahim resigned on Wednesday evening, after 22 days in office, stating the new administration failed to release funds for the improvement of prisons. Gasim’s announcement follows heavy criticism over a violent confrontation between police and protesting employees at the five-star One and Only resort. Gasim ordered police to go to the island.
Gasim's Republican party has not yet decided on their continued support for the MDP coalition.
Now the Republican party will be thinking of how to score political points within he MDP alliance or pull out from the government. MDP will think of political horse-trading to keep its government from falling.
In the United States, people are born into either Republican or Democratic families, almost like an inherited religion. Americans are getting tired of the abuses of the party system, and more and more are declaring themselves independent and moving away from the political parties.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
MATI should respect workers rights
According to a Minivan News report, "Maldives’ Tourism Employees Association (TEAM) has "no right" to make demands for labour rights enshrined in the Employment Act, secretary general of the country's leading resort owners association has said on Saturday.
Sim Ibrahim Mohamed from Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) made the comment after a leaked letter shows he called on the Tourism Ministry to inform resorts that TEAM does not have “any mandate” from the ministry.
The letter, which says TEAM's demands are "unwarranted, unlawful and unnecessary”, also urges the ministry to “caution the media about publishing or broadcasting stories that are biased and defamatory”.
MATI should not resort to bully tactics.
The Maldivian tourism industry has benefited from cheap labour in Maldives. Most of the tourist resort owners and operators have made handsome profits at the expense of the workers because workers rights have never been protected in Maldives.
While the Maldivian Government has taken membership of most the UN organisations, it has failed to take the membership in one of the most important organisation; The International Labour Organization (ILO). ILO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that deals with labour issues. In structure, the ILO is unique among world organizations in that the representatives of the workers and of the employers have an equal voice with those of governments in formulating its policies.
Under the MDP coalition government, the Minister for human resources Hassan Latheef has now confirmed that Maldives would join the ILO before Dec 7th 2008.
We now have the opportunity to address worker issues such as unfair dismissals and refer to labour tribunals.
MATI should get over its arrogant attitude and advocate to give workers their full benefits without pushing them to take mass industrial action through work stoppages.
Sim Ibrahim Mohamed from Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) made the comment after a leaked letter shows he called on the Tourism Ministry to inform resorts that TEAM does not have “any mandate” from the ministry.
The letter, which says TEAM's demands are "unwarranted, unlawful and unnecessary”, also urges the ministry to “caution the media about publishing or broadcasting stories that are biased and defamatory”.
MATI should not resort to bully tactics.
The Maldivian tourism industry has benefited from cheap labour in Maldives. Most of the tourist resort owners and operators have made handsome profits at the expense of the workers because workers rights have never been protected in Maldives.
While the Maldivian Government has taken membership of most the UN organisations, it has failed to take the membership in one of the most important organisation; The International Labour Organization (ILO). ILO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that deals with labour issues. In structure, the ILO is unique among world organizations in that the representatives of the workers and of the employers have an equal voice with those of governments in formulating its policies.
Under the MDP coalition government, the Minister for human resources Hassan Latheef has now confirmed that Maldives would join the ILO before Dec 7th 2008.
We now have the opportunity to address worker issues such as unfair dismissals and refer to labour tribunals.
MATI should get over its arrogant attitude and advocate to give workers their full benefits without pushing them to take mass industrial action through work stoppages.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Denounce the tyranny and honour Nasir's virtues
When former president and independence hero Ibrahim Nasir Rannabandeyri Kilegefan, NGIV, resigned in 1978 Maldives, he had modernized the fisheries industry with mechanized vessels and started the tourism industry. He is credited with many other improvements such as introducing an English-based modern curriculum to government-run schools.
As a person from Havaruthinadhoo, I strongly believe that former president/prime minister Nasir was wrong to impose collective punishment and expel everyone from my island. His actions were brutal and unjust against those of my island who were imprisoned without any trial and died in custody. I support the protesters of Havaruthinadhoo who are demanding an apology from the Government and a suitable form of compensation.
That said, it is time to pay a tribute to former president Ibrahim Nasir recognizing his stature as a national leader of our country who died in Singapore and was laid to rest in Male' with full honours on Monday, 24th November 2008.
Ibrahim Nasir ran an authoritarian government that maintained discipline and a clean record. He held regular elections that was fair and reflected the will of the people. He did not interfere with the electoral process to rig the elections as was done by the Gayoom regime during its thirty year rule starting in 1978. When Nasir relinquished power Maldives was debt-free to the international community. Under his watch, the national shipping line with more than 40 ships that were plying the oceans of the world remained a source of national pride. It was a remarkable success story among the maritime nations of our region.
After experiencing the Gayoom government during the last thirty years, many people now feel it is time to restore discipline and run a corruption-free government.
It is time to revitalize the old values of thrift, hard work, saving and living within one's means. These values did us good as a nation when we faced difficult times before. The world is facing perilous financial challenges and Maldives is going through a political transition and reform process and needs to take every step with caution.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
R.I.P Ibrahim Nasir
Former President Ibrahim Nasir passed away in Mt. Elizabeth Hospital Singapore at 9.30 PM today. He was 82.
May God have mercy on his soul.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Counter secular fascism in Maldives
Michael Parenti, the American writer and lecturer who spoke about the irrational features of fascism must have found this phenomenon in the distant land of Maldives.
Fascism is the unchecked rule of a class of the privileged, or relatively rich, in power--a full-scale assault on poor and working people. Parliamentary institutions are usually set aside, or so demeaned as to be meaningless.
This is how Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, a secular fascist adopted a fascist style of government and ruled like the medieval kings who acted above the law. Gayoom practised nepotism and cronyism. His opponents were thrown into prison, tortured and killed.
Obviously Gayoom's brand of leading fascists were never true to Islam. Their intention was to divide and rule with devastating consequences. These secular fascists were motivated by greed to make money and they compromised the principles of justice and fairness just in order to remain in power. Within the country, their policies of elitist development has turned a vast majority of the population into second-class citizens.
This has created a leadership cult in the government bureaucracy. The result is the rich became richer creating an economic elite and consigning the poor to a permanent underclass.
While Governments were created for the sake of security of the people, the Gayoom Government became themselves the biggest threats to people’s security in Maldives.
"Parenti writes that “Much of politics is the rational manipulation of irrational symbols.” The emotive appeals of fascist ideology have served a class-control function, “distracting the populace from their legitimate grievances and directing their frustrations at various scapegoats.”
The Gayoom regime was very good in symbolism, they created corporate feudal alliances and ran a casino economy. They addicted our younger generation to illegal drugs in order to keep them silent and President Nasheed has inherited a bankrupt country.
In order for Maldivian citizens to find a fulfilling life in Maldives, President Nasheed has to focus his efforts to provide greater meaning than just economic survival of our nation.
"History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived. But if we rise up to meet it head-on, then history need not be re-lived. When we as a people fail, or worse yet, refuse to stand up to the injustice of historical past, then that injustice becomes an ever-present constant in our daily lives." - Cia Bannar, film maker and human rights activist.
Fascism is the unchecked rule of a class of the privileged, or relatively rich, in power--a full-scale assault on poor and working people. Parliamentary institutions are usually set aside, or so demeaned as to be meaningless.
This is how Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, a secular fascist adopted a fascist style of government and ruled like the medieval kings who acted above the law. Gayoom practised nepotism and cronyism. His opponents were thrown into prison, tortured and killed.
Obviously Gayoom's brand of leading fascists were never true to Islam. Their intention was to divide and rule with devastating consequences. These secular fascists were motivated by greed to make money and they compromised the principles of justice and fairness just in order to remain in power. Within the country, their policies of elitist development has turned a vast majority of the population into second-class citizens.
This has created a leadership cult in the government bureaucracy. The result is the rich became richer creating an economic elite and consigning the poor to a permanent underclass.
While Governments were created for the sake of security of the people, the Gayoom Government became themselves the biggest threats to people’s security in Maldives.
"Parenti writes that “Much of politics is the rational manipulation of irrational symbols.” The emotive appeals of fascist ideology have served a class-control function, “distracting the populace from their legitimate grievances and directing their frustrations at various scapegoats.”
The Gayoom regime was very good in symbolism, they created corporate feudal alliances and ran a casino economy. They addicted our younger generation to illegal drugs in order to keep them silent and President Nasheed has inherited a bankrupt country.
In order for Maldivian citizens to find a fulfilling life in Maldives, President Nasheed has to focus his efforts to provide greater meaning than just economic survival of our nation.
"History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived. But if we rise up to meet it head-on, then history need not be re-lived. When we as a people fail, or worse yet, refuse to stand up to the injustice of historical past, then that injustice becomes an ever-present constant in our daily lives." - Cia Bannar, film maker and human rights activist.
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