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Everywhere, Maldivian megaphones bleat a constant tune about the exemplary and enviable democracy in this country. Let us now consider the facts of the matter.

Not long ago, a group of Maldivians who love their country made an application to register a political party. They did this formally, and according to the laws and regulations.

The truth of the matter is that this is not only an idea emanating for those who made the application. It is an idea that comes from the hearts of many Maldivians. Those who took the initiative were inspired by patriotism. But when this idea was publicly expressed, the government terrorist organisation put many people in prison and intimidated the population. How else can we describe this gang operating in the name of government?

What is clear is that the terrorist group controlled by the Dictator has no principles.

After behaving in this inhumane way, are the noisy megaphones about to begin proclaiming a new era of democracy?

The government has committed an act of terror designed to suppress and control the citizens of the country. Imprisoning the people who lead the movement for party democracy shows that the Dictator's terror has no limits.

In a surprise attack, Heron's Hannan was arrested and taken to prison. Riyaalu Azi, Gogo Latheef and Umar Jamaal were all arrested too. That they themselves have been accused of terrorist activity for taking an active role in registering a political party is a shocking accusation defying all logic.

This is strong and clear evidence that the Dictator is utterly shameless.

In the case of Aries' Mausoom, while he was abroad a police jeep went to his house and officers searched for him. After that they came back frequently to ask questions. But when he returned from overseas these officers were nowhere to be seen. Are we meant to be silent about this intimidation of his family during his absence? But it isn't only the psychological terror inflicted on Mausoom's family; there is also the terror inflicted on all those who took part in the registration process and supported it. It is very clear that no one is safe.

Members of the Majlis who backed the proposal were fear-stricken. They were not able to express their opinions, and had to break the official oaths they had taken in the name of Allah. Can there be any act of terror worse than this?

And things did not end there. All those who listed their names and signatures supporting the party registration now live in fear. The slightest movement of a leaf on a tree kindles trembling in their hearts. They know the ones in khaki uniforms are coming; that their names are listed in fat letters on a blackboard in the bedroom of the Dictator. They know they cannot escape; sooner or later some act of terror will befall them.

It is the custom of this government to stalk their prey, and then strike when the opportunity comes. This provides many opportunities for rumour-mongers. Those who inform on others receive words of praise and other benefits. People are in constant fear of saying something that the Dictator will not approve of. So they think long and hard before saying anything to anyone. Only a very brave person discusses the country's political situation, even with a friend.

Let us consider the following:

Hathifushi Shakir is an honourable member of the Majlis. He represents thousands of people. However on the basis of rumour, the government's own terrorist organisation put him in prison. (Even though a member of the Majlis cannot be arrested or imprisoned without appearing in court.) His 'big crime' is supporting and signing the party registration application papers.

Dhoani burns during Malé western harbour fire, July 2001 Photo: Haveeru

The accusation against him was that he had said to someone during a serious fire in the western harbour, that the police had waited 45 minutes until the Dictator arrived at the scene before trying to extinguish the flames with foam.

A man who imprisons another after such an accusation would not hesitate to devilishly drink the blood of a human being!

The Dictator is completely 'power crazy'. He ignores the living conditions of the people, while he inhabits a US$75 million dollar mansion, holidaying in his multi-million dollar Aarah private resort, and spending millions of rufiya on his own 'White House' Presidential offices. At a time when the country is in a deep economic recession he entertains himself on a US$16 million 'James Bond' yacht built in Germany. Is he any better than Idi Amin of Uganda?

People can hardly feed themselves in the Maldives. Isn't he virtually sucking their blood?

This extravagant expenditure doesn't stop there. He believes it brings a nice finishing touch to his status if his henchmen partly share his standard of living. All this goes on in a totally unrestrained fashion. And anyone who criticises these matters is labelled as a trouble-maker. For them, even breathing the Maldivian air is made difficult.

Consider this:

Umar Jamal was a candidate in the last general election, and he was imprisoned during the campaign. After nine months in gaol he was released. Nothing was proven because the government was unable to provide any witnesses to the court. This case was reported in a previous issue of Sandhaanu.

Now the case is again being deliberated in the Criminal Court, apparently at the order of the High Court. Perhaps this is a new invention, that a case can be retried by the same court that decides it? This innovation rips at the base of all past, present and future laws.

However, such is the justice system under the Dictator, it can be done easily. Mean tricky men like him don't have principles.

Yes, now the case is being tried again by the Criminal Court. They have been trying to summon a woman to this trial. She previously agreed to give evidence, but now she refuses to come to court. She says that unless they chain her and her children and carry her into the courtroom she will not attend the trial. She has sent letters to offices of all the gangsters in this so-called government, and a copy of that letter to Umar Jamal.

In the letter she states that the whole matter was a conspiracy under the control of the senior island chief of Thinadhoo island [in Gaaf Dhaal or Huvadhu atoll] to find Umar Jamal guilty of an offence. When she realised that Umar Jamal was being tortured for no real reason during his imprisonment, and that the perpetrators were brutal men, she decided not to give evidence. She has also apologised to Umar Jamal.

Do we have a government, or an organisation of gangsters?

This candidate for the Majlis was tortured because he was standing against the ruler's brother-in-law Endherimaage Abbas Dhon Manik. (The father of Abbas's family was called Don Manik. But the family members were unhappy with this appellation and they have stolen another name for themselves [Ibrahim]. Is there anything these people are not prepared to thieve?)

In his trickery and meanness, Abbas was tormenting Umar Jamal and his family, and it is not surprising that Abbas Dhon Manik and his family also experienced a bitter and painful experience they would not forget. Abbas had two sons. One is a total junkie, the other was an excellent young man, the hope of his father's life. In a shocking motor cycle accident the young son passed away before his eyes. All his hopes were ground into the dirt. At that time Umar Jamal was locked in the chains of Abbas' meanness. If people would learn wisdom from events such as these, brutality would be wiped from the face of the earth.

Why is it that a man who gained his PhD from the seas, reefs, and sandspits - the Dictator's Attorney-General Munawwar - why is it that this man stalks Umar Jamal and makes him live in constant fear?




Yusuf Rafeeu (a.k.a. Yusay) often gets dragged to the police station. The other day Yusay was summoned for interrogation and Vagu Lhahuththu asked him about an interview with an overseas-resident Maldivian, Dr Mohamed Waheed.

Dr Waheed [ Reforms and the Binbi Force - Malé early 1990s ] is the Assistant Director-General of UNICEF for the South Asia region, and recently he came to Maldives to attend a UNICEF conference held at Bandos resort. The media was forbidden to say or write Dr Waheed's name. However, he gave an interview to the Monday Times. When this particular issue was about to be printed the Professor of Sports for All stopped it. Monday Times is printed by Haveeru's press and the interview was banned from publication.

Anyway, Yusay was asked why he was distributing personal copies of the interview around Malé. Yusay admitted what he was doing and he was told that it was a prohibited matter and he shouldn't do it. Yusay's response was that it was a public interview given to a magazine, and although it might seem to Lhahuththu that it was forbidden, in fact that wasn't so.

Yusay was then asked if he had seen an issue of Sandhaanu that contained the "true story" of the Commissioner of Police's drug-taking and large scale drug dealing. Lhahuththu was holding a copy of Sandhaanu in his hands as he spoke.

Yusay replied no to this question and then he was allowed to go home.

You can guess why Yusay was summoned by the police. Such investigations have a close link to Maldivian political science. Yusay's problems are caused by his support for, and participation in, the effort to register a political party. The virus will continue to stalk him. Trying to cause him enough torment to make him stop his endeavours. Keeping him strangled so he cannot breathe comfortably.

Just think:

Burumaa Gasim is everyone's friend. He is a multi-millionaire who gives generously to the needy. He also took an active part in the attempt to register a political party. The consequences for him have been very bitter.

Steps have been taken to squeeze him on all six sides. He was given the green light to establish an airline and after he invested huge amounts of money, and everything was just about ready, permission was revoked. He had reclaimed land and built infrastructure for an airport.

When he was in favour, Gasim could do anything, but then his name went on the black list and steps were taken to make life difficult for him. These little traps have cost him millions of rufiya.

When the government causes such harm to people, is it right to ignore it?

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