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Leadership and the People of Maldives Email received Your article 'The Maldivian Police state and the cult of President Maumoon Qayyoom' is a very true version of the current state of affairs in Maldives. When I read the article it looked to me like an artist had drawn the pictures and placed them in front of me. I must say that whoever has contributed to the Maldives Culture Internet magazine, they have really contributed to the people of Maldives. The writings have links to valuable references and the ideas are intellectual. So I assume a lot of people who sincerely love Maldives and Maldivians have done, and are doing, hard work.
There are many Maldivians who know the benefits of changing the country to a place where the people can have proper representation. They know what human rights are, what democracy is, why there has to be political parties, what benefits there are for the people in a parliamentary democracy, and how much importance Islam gives to equality, justice and human rights. They do not want to lose any of these values and fundamental rights. The elected MP for Malé Mohamed Nasheed started the process of these reforms by putting a series of bills to the Parliament. He was unsuccessful, and he was harassed. Then he went to the core of the reforms, and with like-minded people took the initiative and risk to register a political party, which is allowed by the constitution of the country. They were harassed in the Majlis (Parliament), and they saw what? Detention, jail, and banishment. They had no opportunity for equal representation in the court of law. No lawyer would dare to represent them because of fear. The educated people in the parliament also had no other concern than to protect themselves. The other big question is: When the people of Maldives have their representatives in organizations like the British Commonwealth, the UN and others, don't they have certain criteria to meet as a member country? Don't these organizations value and respect human rights and dignity? Don't they monitor and see that member countries adhere to the rules and regulations they had agreed upon? It brings shame to the community of today's civilized world, that these things are happening in the 21st century, when these facts are so easily accessible and verifiable. While they all come and enjoy their holidays on the sunny beaches, the local population is heavily oppressed. Maybe we had a similar situation over 100 years ago. At that time (1880s) some concerned Maldivians asked the British government for help and they accepted Maldives as a protectorate. Although the British had some knowledge of what was happening in the domestic politics, since Maldives was a small country they may not have had much interest. Then our political leaders sought the removal of British protection and in 1965 we became independent. Unfortunately we could only say we had been a British Protectorate, there were no other benefits. We didn't get a decent political system and democratic institutions like our neighbors. I think now its important that we should try to come out of this political vacuum of the last 40-50 years, especially the vacuum of leadership.We have to start talking about a new leader who could bring in democtratic reforms, who will take up the challenge of transforming the countries current political system to a full fledged parliamentary democratic system. Currently in the regime there are few groups like Transport Minister Ilyas and his supporters. Trade and Industry Minister Yameen and his supporters, and another group around Foreign Minister Fathulla. But it seems Fathulla does not want to be president, while neither Ilyas nor Yameen dare come out openly. In the current system, none of them can openly contest the presidency because they have to openly submit their application. This system has to be removed and who ever applies to be a presidential candidate should be screened by the Majlis concerning his merit and his plans, and he should be given the chance to address the Majlis in a live telecast so the public will be informed. Then they should go as candidates to the public and it is the people who will decide who will be their President. There is a rumor that Dr. M. Waheed Hassan may contest with the blessings of Gayyoom. Anyway there are also rumors that the next generation after the Gayyoom generation, the Sri Lankan educated team, cannot not come forward to take the leadership. However there is strong prediction that the generation of American university graduates will be coming to the leadership next. Let's hope that they come and bring democratic reforms and good governance, a free and fair justice system and make our economy even stronger, so people can have and enjoy a better life, and cac live without fear. Let no one be above the law or below the law. People also predict something we hope may not happen. It may be like the way Amin Didi was removed and Kilegefaanu was made the Prime Minister of our last King Mohamed Fareed. Anyway, time has forced Maldivians to think seriously and consciously about another leader. Who would sincerely bring about changes to the system of governing. People have to start talking about this matter in all its aspects because it an important affair. I think people have been very fair with Maumoon and his regime, and now he has to be fair to the people and pass the leadership on to the next generation. Let the father become the grandfather and enjoy a retired life. |
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Maldives Culture is an independent internet magazine of Maldivian cultural issues.
Editors and translators: Michael O'Shea and Fareesha Abdulla, Australia
We invite contributions from Maldivians and others interested in Maldives.
Contributions and comments - mc_editors@hotmail.com
