Month: October 2007

When the Special Majlis was formed to agree an amended constitution for the Maldives, no-one thought it would be a walk in the park.

But fast-forward three years; endless procedural debates, sniping among members and poor attendance have threatened to derail the process altogether.

Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra), Chair of the constitution Drafting Committee, tells Minivan News why the constitution will be complete by the end of the year, hits out at game playing, and talks up his own Presidential hopes.

End of The Year?

Ibra, who has always been sceptical about the 30 November deadline agreed by Special Majlis members, says he is “optimistic” the constitution will be finished “by the end of the year.”

”Members are running out of gas,” he says, but public pressure will force them to complete the dragged out process.

“It’s increasingly more apparent to the public what is happening, and most members have aspirations to run for public office,” Ibra points out.

Despite Ibra’s optimism, members have been unable to agree final versions of several clauses of the bill of rights, the first draft chapter to be considered on the Special Majlis floor.

The Drafting Committee has the unenviable task of writing new versions more likely to receive majority backing from the Special Majlis floor.

So how can consensus be achieved when solutions have to be acceptable to everyone?

Ibra’s reply that it is “is possible,” because “it has to be possible,” is not massively convincing.

Personal Interest

Ibra blames political parties, the Government’s DRP and the opposition MDP account for most Special Majlis members, for failing to whip members behind particular amendments.

“We could have finished this chapter [a bill of rights] by now if there had been more cooperation from them,” he sighs.

But key issues appear to have cut across party lines. A decision on whether to incorporate the Islamic sharia into the draft bill of rights divided the Majlis completely last week, drawing passionate support and criticism from both major parties.

Ibra says these individual battles are tied up in “personal interest” and warns “playing to the public,” could still threaten the constitution’s passage.

Gayoom’s Shadow?

Ibra and the MDP have consistently accused President Gayoom of using his in built majority in the Special Majlis to stall the constitution reform process.

But Ibra says international pressure will prevent Gayoom undermining the process, “however much he would like to.”

“He’s on borrowed time, as far as the international community is concerned,” he says, confidently. “The Government can’t afford to go back on it’s word to major international stakeholders.”

Yet he tells me there has been “more than one occasion” when Gayoom has proposed amendments through party members, to try and slow the process and consolidate power.

“Abbas’ recent amendment was deliberately put on the floor by Gayoom,” he says, referring to the divisive proposal to incorporate sharia into the bill of rights.

“You have to look at these amendments as a sequence,” he adds, arguing Gayoom is plotting to ensure the executive retains significant power under the revised constitution.

Eventually incorporating sharia could give, “ultimate power to the Chief Justice over the Supreme court, by-passing the Majlis [parliament] altogether.”

Ibra for President?

Ibra was among the first to declare his candidacy for next year’s presidential poll. Yet his fledgling Social Liberal Party (SLP) is still not registered, and he faces stiff competition from President Gayoom among others.

So how does he believe he can win?

“I think I have an excellent chance,” he says, although he refuses to disclose exactly how many supporters his party has, because he doesn’t “trust the Electoral Commission.”

Last week former Attorney General Dr Hassan Saeed, launched his own campaign.

Saeed, like Ibra a reform minded candidate, said he had contacted opposition parties to discuss a united front against Gayoom, but Ibra has yet to hear anything.

“It doesn’t bother me,” Ibra says on Dr Saeed’s candidacy. “Maybe Hassan doesn’t consider us a political force within the country, or a party worth consulting. But that’s his prerogative.”

“Good On Anni”

Ibra started his political career in the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party. He was the party’s first president before falling out with MDP chairman Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) over the latter’s refusal to engage with the Government.

Anni himself has been criticised party activists in recent weeks for meeting with representatives of President Gayoom. So does Ibra feel vindicated now Anni is following his own tactics?

Ibra refuses to say I told you so, instead congratulating Anni on taking a necessary political step.

“It’s about time MDP started behaving like a mature political organisation,” according to its former leader.

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Yameen will back President Gayoom’s candidacy in 2008, he has revealed to Minivan News in an exclusive interview.

Abdullah Yameen, Gayoom’s half-brother, quit the Government in April to form the People’s Association (PA). Initially a non-governmental organisation Yameen announced this month PA will be registered as a political party.

The self-proclaimed “normal citizen” tells Susannah Peter why he is supporting his brother, lifts the lid on his own presidential ambitions, and talks more about his democratic credentials.

Gayoom’s My Man

Yameen is adamant that Gayoom is the man for the Maldives in next year’s presidential elections, even though PA have attacked Government policies in for several months.

“Public figures need to know pulse of the people,” he says emphatically. “And the public are looking for someone they can trust, with a good track record, and ability for the top job.

“I believe Gayoom tops the current list of candidates.”

He acknowledges there is “resentment and discontent” among many Maldivians towards his brother, who has ruled the Maldives uninterrupted for thirty years but insists the “alternative candidates just don’t compare.”

“Many young people say Gayoom has been in too long, that we need a change,” he says. “But although he has underperformed in some areas, he’s done a swell job in others.”

Since the birth of his own fledgling political party, his backing of his brother may seem a little surprising.

But he says he is “unsure” whether PA will put forward a candidate.

“We have members who are qualified, considering the list floating about at the moment,” he says. “But at present, Gayoom is still the top man.”

Three other ministers have resigned from the cabinet in recent months openly questioning Gayoom’s commitment to democratic reforms.

Buy Yameen reminds me it was “my brother” who “launched the Roadmap.”

“I think he has been harshly criticised over the reform process,” he adds. “Blame should not rest on one man’s shoulders.

And in an apparent swipe at the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party, Yameen’s political bedfellow in recent months, he says, “Responsibility for constitutional delay, lies with many parties, not just the President.”

An “Embarrassing” Question

“I can categorically say, at this point, I’m not interested,” says Yameen when asked about his own Presidential ambitions, a question he finds “embarrassing.”

“The President is my brother,” he helpfully reminds me. “So I don’t want to talk about myself as the one to take his presidential baton from him.

“And the presidency is not passed through inheritancy,” he adds.

But he would not rule out running for President in the future, even though he insists he has not “given it serious thought.”

“A lot is still open, and circumstances may change.” he smiles. “Ask me again in a few months.”

He disagrees he is tarnished by his relationship with Gayoom, and seems puzzled by the suggestion he is too unpopular to run himself.

“I think that would be a bit harsh,” he frowns.

“Any intelligent person would judge me on my track record. But public perception can be changed, I’m not overly concerned about that.”

“I’m a normal citizen,” he adds, reclining casually in his seat. “And I don’t discuss politics with the President anymore.”

DRP Future?

Gayoom has yet to fill Yameen’s position in his cabinet, although his brother resigned six months ago.

Neither has Yameen been expelled from the DRP despite openly campaigning against the party in parliament and the August referendum.

Former Attorney General Hassan Saeed and Justice Minister Mohamed Jameel have both been vilified by the DRP since resigning and removed from their elected positions within the party at President Gayoom’s request.

This vastly different treatment has prompted speculation that Yameen left Government with the President’s blessing and will return to the fold.

But Yameen says only the President can say why his cabinet position remains open.

“As far as I’m concerned, the job is done,” he says, “I’m not in the DRP any longer. I formally resigned when I announced PA will become a political party.”

The PA campaigned for a parliamentary system in August’s constitution referendum and lost, but “that was never a make or break issue,” he tells me. “And if the public want a presidential system, we have to respect that.”

He flatly denies that he backed a parliamentary system as it represents his most likely route into power, saying it “best reflects the voice of the people.”

He adds he wanted to debate it more when he was a Cabinet member, but it was “difficult” because the President was “flying the presidential flag.”

Born-again Democrat?

Yameen had a reputation as a hardliner within Gayoom’s cabinet.

He fiercely opposed the rapid elevation of young reformist ministers, like Saeed and Jameel, and was closely associated with the Police Commissioner Adam Zahir.

But Yameen denies his long service in Gayoom’s Cabinet undermines his commitment to a “democratic philosophy.” He is a “long-standing,” reformist he says, not a born again democrat.

He talks fondly of Gayoom’s “extensive cabinet consultations” in the 1990s, and cabinet meetings that continued “long into the night.”

“He was much more democratic than people realise,” Yameen suggests.

“But it’s impossible to consult the public on every issue. That would be very expensive. That’s the whole idea of a representative democracy.”

Yameen’s departure from Government came soon after the appointment of financial magnate Gasim Ibrahim as Finance Minister.

Yameen steers clear of questions on his personal relationship with the man many say stands in the way of Yameen’s own political ambitions.

But he does say Gasim “has a lot of explaining to do,” over the economy, which he promises will be the PA’s “main stress.”

“Everyone wants reform,” he explains. “But the best servant of the country is someone who can raise our dismal economy, provide the people with housing, more employment.”

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