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Chairman of Maldives Association of Tourism Industry urged to resign Ali Shiyam 11 July 2004 letter translated by Maldives Culture Bismillah M. Fenfiyaazu Aage Male' Dear Chairman of the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry Mr Mohamed Umar Manik, Greetings,   Mohamed Umar Manik As a member of the executive board of MATI, I wish to say the following: Regarding the submission of the bids for hiring the new islands opened for development as resorts, an article published in Haveeru on 8-9 July 2004 on page 4 included parts of an interview with you and the organisation's general secretary Sim Ibrahim Mohamed. Some of the things you said in the interview were as a representative of MATI. These things were said using the MATI chairman's position and with the intention of obtaining a personal gain. This is contary to the master plan endorsed by MATI with regard to tourism development in Maldives. Because you are among those parties who submitted bids for these potential resorts, and the statements you made were not discussed with the executive board of MATI, and what was said in the interview were clearly intended to influence the evaluation process of these resort bids, you have contravened clause 23.2 of the bid document. Your statements in the interview were in breach of the mandate you have been given as the chairman of MATI, and we advise you not to repeat such an act in the future. Your statements failed to give any consideration to the interests of the other members of MATI, and were made with the intention of furthering your personal interests, so it is not appropriate for you remain as the chairman of MATI, and we ask you to resign from that position. 11 July 2004 (signature) Ali Shiyam Member of the Executive Board of MATI. Copies to the Members of MATI Executive Board, The Ministry of Tourism, and the President's Office. top

Related articles and links Maldives tourism and social development hampered by government restrictions December 2001 Corruption in the Tourism Ministry; Will the best bidder get an Island for resort development? Dhivehi Observer 20 May 2004

Maldives Culture is an independent internet magazine of Maldive cultural issues.
Editors and translators: Michael O'Shea and Fareesha Abdulla, Australia
We invite contributions from Maldivians and others interested in Maldives.
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