The Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) leader and also the President of the Republic, His Excellency Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom in a blunt rhetoric apparently had held the National Unity Alliance responsible for the death of (Saikuraa) Ibrahim Naeem. The president trying to defend his failure to respond for the peoples call for a better Maldives once he brought the perfect unity and harmony linked the death of Mr. Naeem to the rally of NUA to meet him at the perfect venue for president’s office but made a fortress for his living. The president said that Mr. Naeem is one of those who sacrificed his life, in the own going (president’s own developed) political turmoil.
At the opening of the DRP ‘Dhivehi Maalam’, the meeting hall of the party, the president describing the cause of Naeem’s death said that the evening that the rival opposition leaders gathered near ‘Theemuge’ the authentic residence folklore describes as the Mahaa Kalaminjaa and later became the first Muslim president Mohamed bin Abdulla, now resided the republic’s incumbent president Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom, Mr. Naeem suddenly woke up with a shock and as he on the TV he saw the scene of the rally. President said that at that time Mr. Naeem fell into tears as he heard the rally calling for president’s resignation and urging for the ratification of the overhauled constitution, many appealed to the president. The president said that Mr. Naeem could not digest the calls and what he saw from the tally and felt short of his breath and as he was taken to the hospital he was declared brain dead, a state having irreversible loss of brain function as indicated by a persistent flat electroencephalogram. He said that Mr. Naeem was treated in the hospital for the terminal and later died.
The DRP leader in his mighty presidential suit declared Mr. Naeem death as a martyr.
Totally different from his charismatic standing tall he changed himself from the presidency to the campaign mode as he said wanted to share explained a list of liars he had accumulated in the course of 30years in office.
Reeling a long toilet paper like roll the president said that he was holding the liars list in which he specifically described 5 names from which one of them is he said was a relative and once a government attorney (Maria Ahmed Didi). The other is once a very prolific figure in the president’s cabinet Ibrahim Hussain Zaki) and another was a government envoy. He said once a close friend (Mohamed Latheef, well known as Go Go Latheef) who told him then that the biggest threat to the country is ‘wahhaabi’, an extremism of radical faith who calls them perfect Muslims, but he indicated that his friend is now a part of it. He also attacked his friend’s daughter (Jenfer Latheef) and said that his implanted her to the September 19, a date that the brutal death of Eevan Naseem in custody exposed to public and a day of outrage that saw Maldives in a panic with destruction in Male’ and fled the country.
When the president indicates of his relative the crowd gathered in the hall began shouting “Yaameen, Yaameen” presidents half brother but when he said Maria the shouting went silent. Last but not the least in his long list lauded of Ahmed Nashid best known as ADK Nashid.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Vote for Mr.Qasim Ibrahim
Gasim Ibrahim is very famous and highly respected for his philanthropic services across the country. Being one of the richest men of Maldives, owning many resorts and several businesses, Gasim has been masterfully building a strong base for his future, from a small beginning to become a billionaire and powerful and popular politician. Gasim's ambition to win the highest post of the country was in the air for so many years. His name will go into the annuls of Maldivian history as one of the pioneers of democracy and political reform, having fearlessly advocated for separation of powers and restriction of presidency for two terms since the national conference for Vision 2020, being one of the signatories for the initiative of forming political parties, being involved in the 2004 August 12 - 13 mass demonstration and charged for high treason, Gasim was in vanguard of Maldives politics as one of the most popular and potential leaders of the country.
His popularity declined so abruptly after he took the formidable post of Finance Minister in 2005, a job which some said he assumed to escape from some charges against him, or to show to the people he was equally and eminently qualified to shape the economy of the country. But during the three years he was Finance Minister, the country experienced some of the most difficult times with soaring budgets and inflation. His handling of the budgets coupled with the fast expansion of his private businesses, had serious repercussions on his personal credence and popularity. Some analysts said Gasim became the unfortunate victim of his indecisiveness and procrastination. If he has a clear cut vision to seek presidency, he should have made that decision and resigned from the post much earlier. There is lot of criticism and skepticism about Gasim's political credibility because he has still not made public his decision about his political future.
For the past few weeks, news about Gasim's own political party dominated headlines, people talked about the party as the most powerful party which will affect all the other parties in the country. Jumhoory Party, JP which was founded by Gasim's long time friend and businessman ADK Nashid finally had its launching last week in Kudahuvadhoo, but many raised questions about its size and strength seen at the inaugural meeting. Gasim was not there, there were doubts about the quorum of the meeting, and large number of members of Majlis, JP hoped to have, were not seen there. So it is still a mystery what Gasim will be doing, whether he will join JP and be its presidential candidate. Some say that Gasim will join JP after the ratification of the Constitution.
There are interesting news floating these days that Gasim is trying to forge a partnership with long time rival, Abdullah Yamin President's brother and President of one of the rising parties, PA. Supporters of Yamin have been very critical of Gasim and have blamed Gasim for mishandling the huge government budgets for 2007and 2008. Gasim resigned from Finance Minister after being severely criticized by the Majlis about 2008 Mrf 4.4 billion deficit budget. Gasim defended himself by saying that he could not raise the finance because of lack of cooperation from colleagues and he accused the government has failed. According to sources, Gasim is highly fascinated by the idea of making Yamin his running mate recognizing the high caliber and ability of the young charismatic leader. But Yamin, who has been elected President of his PA, has said he will stand for election for the presidency, if his party decides so. It is most likely Yamin will be the unchallenged presidential candidate of PA if the party decides to run for presidency. It is difficult to understand how Yamin would accept to be Gasim's deputy, but there are no friends and enemies in politics.
In other development, President Gayoom has started some offensives against opponents marking the beginning of a very aggressive campaigning for election. Gayoom has exposed some key opposition leaders when his party opened a new campaign office Monday night. Gayoom said he has a very long list of liars. Exposing rivals and opponents is a common thing in multi party politics. DRP leader has said he has been very patient in making such references. But the way he has spoken Monday night, it can be seen as warning of more lethal attacks to several formidable opponents. Surely, Gasim will be a priceless target and with the most sophisticated defense missile systems, it looks impossible to escape the looming offensives.
How will Gasim take these, will he have the courage to face them? Answers to these questions will not be so easy and coming weeks may see their light.
Another huge problem for Gasim will be the new conditions stipulated in the Constitution for presidential candidates that the candidate must not engage in any direct business. How will Gasim get himself qualified as a presidential candidate? Does this mean Gasim's dream of becoming president is already doomed? Or can he find a way forward during the short time available. JP founder Nashid has confidently said they already have a presidential candidate who does not need any campaigning, indicating the person is already well known, highly popular and extremely electable. If Nashid's secret choice is Gasim, it is true Gasim still enjoys considerable support and popularity from the people. Gasim may be a strong contender capable of challenging President Gayoom. At the same time, Abdullah Yamin seems to be adding more strength and popularity to his side, making his chances greater. But, pundits still believe, President Gayoom will be reelected to a seventh term in the first multi party presidential election to be held in October under the new Constitution.
Qayoom said he will ratify on 7th august 2008
President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has announced he will be ratifying the new Constitution on 7 August 2008. The President has said so at a meeting held for the media this afternoon at the President's Office. Opposition parties have voiced concern for the delay of ratification, and there was a huge protest last Sunday evening by the United National Alliance and their supporters demanding for the ratification of the Constitution without delay. Leaders of various oppositions parties gathered near the Presidential Palace wanting to meet the President while angry supporters chanted, and called for the President's resignation. The protest was disbursed by Police.
President Gayoom later in his independence Day message told the nation ratification of the Constitution is a great responsibility vested in him and he has to take utmost care and interest of the people in that process. Mr. Gayoom also said ratification is not merely a ceremony indicating the great importance he has to give in the process.
There are reports of serious concern raised by the European Union about the delays in the Constitutional reforms, but the Foreign Ministry was quick to respond to it by stating EU's statement ill reported.
Some important laws required to be enacted before the ratification of the Constitution have already been passed by the Majlis. They include Police Bill and Bill on general regulations. Bill on general regulations giving powers under the law included 83 regulations in affect by various government ministries. This Bill has just been passed by the Majlis today. President's decision to announce a date for ratification came immediately after the passing of the bill.
There were wide speculation the new Constitution will be ratified either on 30 or 31 of July, but it is believed there was not enough time to hold the ratification on these dates and it is unlikely to get a date before August 7 in view of the SAARC Summit to be held in Colombo from 1 to 2 August. President Gayoom is expected to attend the Summit. He is the only Head of State who have attended all SAARC Summits.
New Constitution which will introduce unprecedented democratic and political reforms has taken 4 years to complete. The Constitution will bring with it wider democratic reforms and new powers for the Majlis, separation of powers including independent judiciary, election commission, auditor general. Multi party election will be held for the first time to elect the President and Majlis. Presidential election is expected to be held in October. President Gayoom, who is seeking a seventh term will be contesting with several other candidates in the upcoming election.
While some say President Gayoom will comfortably win the election, others say the mood in the country is for change and elect a new leader. Mohamed Nasheed, Anni from main opposition party MDP, Ibrahim Ismail, Ibra from Liberal Party, President's brother Abdulla Yamin from , Attorney General Dr. Hassan Saeed, former Finance Minister Gasim Ibrahim and Umar Naseer from IDP are likely to contest in the election.
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