Day: July 4, 2010

Leaked voice clips may be ‘conversations between friends helping each other’: Yameen

Three recordings of discussions between Majlis members referring to other members and officials, including a plan to cease work on the Tax bills in the Majlis, have appeared on the Internet.

The People’s Alliances party (PA) leader Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom told Minivan news this afternoon that a voice in the sound clips might be his, but the conversations were ”not to borrow money to bribe MPs… [rather] As friends, we might help each other,” he said.

Yameen said the discussions ”would be a recording of a telephone call”, and were potentially taped by either the Police or by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). ”We have sent a letter to the telecommunications authority to clarify whether they gave permission to record any of their telephone calls,” he said. ”It is unlawful to record private phone calls.”

However, the Police denied Yameen’s claims. ”The Police will never record anyone’s phone calls,” said sub-Inspector Ahmed Shiyam. The police had no connection with the leaked voice recordings, he said.

The People’s Alliance party secretary-general Ibrahim Shareef said that he could not say whether the voice in the clips was Yameen’s. ”Personal calls should not be recorded,” Shareef said. ”We do not have anything to say regarding this. Yameen himself will be the best person to ask. This is a personal issue.”

Jumhooree party leader MP Gasim Ibrahim did not respond to Minivan News’ calls at the time of publication.

The second recording below is between the South Kulhudufushi MP Mohamed ‘Kutti’ Nasheed and MP Gasim Ibrahim, according to ‘Kutti’ Nasheed’s personal blog. Nasheed says that the request for cash from Gasim was made months ago. In his blog, Nasheed denies that the cash had anything to do with voting in the Majlis.

Recording:1 Transcript below | Audio in Dhivehi – mp3 file

Voice1: We have the original now.

Voice2: So if we put this through the ACC [Anti-Corruption Commission] tomorrow morning, how soon will the ACC release a statement?

Voice1: It should be released tomorrow. They are coming tonight. Two ACC commissioners are in Malaysia. The President [of ACC] is here. Our friend Hoara Waheed is there. I have directly given all warnings through him… in prelude to this… that this is a must. I have also passed the number to Gasim. Seems Gasim will maintain connection.

Voice2: Have we been able to get anything from Gasim yet?

Voice1: He said Rose matter is sealed. He worked very hard. He took Rose to Paradise yesterday evening at 6. And he came to that meeting at around 9.30 -10 and said “final”. That it’s done.

Voice2: So that means?

Voice1: It’s the one million matter. Isn’t it?

Voice2: Yeah.

Voice1: He tried a funny story with me. After Friday prayers yesterday, I went to Gasim’s house…

Voice2: So Rose is joining Jumhooree Party now?

Voice1: No it’s not that… It is just for these matters…

Voice2: In that case, Nazim, why don’t we take Rose, with this million?

Voice1: Yeah. Rose knows now. And I have asked Maniku to complete the deal. With one million given there is still two million… So what happens now is… I mentioned everything that there was doubt about. I wasn’t able to talk to Gasim later. He has said everything will be Ok…100% and not to worry.

Voice2: What are you telling Maniku?

Voice1: I went to Maniku… Gasim is going to see Hassan Saeed at 2.30.

Recording:2 Transcript below | Audio in Dhivehi –mp3 file

MP ‘Kutti’ Nasheed: And again, it is three months since I have been trying to get myself out of that.

MP Gasim Ibrahim: Finishing it now.

MP ‘Kutti’ Nasheed: Are you still in the office, … mean … in the Majlis?

MP Gasim Ibrahim: I came at six o’clock and since then, now finishing and leaving now. Continuing tomorrow.

MP ‘Kutti’ Nasheed: Yeah, OK.

MP Gasim Ibrahim: What happened?

MP ‘Kutti’ Nasheed: I contacted, this is just… how is your situation in relation to flow?

MP Gasim Ibrahim: Why?

MP ‘Kutti’ Nasheed: I need some cash.

MP Gasim Ibrahim: Yeah, ok… How much?

MP ‘Kutti’ Nasheed: I need it very much.

MP Gasim Ibrahim: Have you got someone to come over here?

MP ‘Kutti’ Nasheed: Here, at this time, there’s no one.

MP Gasim Ibrahim: Yeah it is…

MP ‘Kutti’ Nasheed: Yes, tomorrow morning will be fine. It’s not a problem.

MP Gasim Ibrahim: People will see it there, will be watched, won’t it?

MP ‘Kutti’ Nasheed: OK, I will try and arrange someone from there to go to Villa, is that ok?

Recording:3 Transcript below | Audio in Dhivehi – mp3 file file

Voice2: Yes, what is it?

Voice1 (?): Dilute, Thasmeen is working to dilute… Nasheed, could you please tell that story.

MP ‘Kutti’ Nasheed: Yes, I was contacted just then…. You have seen the first draft, haven’t you?

Voice2: I haven’t seen it yet, not yet.

MP ‘Kutti’ Nasheed: OK, the first draft states specific actions that will be taken. I will, for your convenience, read it for you right now, those bits.

Voice2: OK read.

MP ‘Kutti’ Nasheed: It was agreed that to prevent the government from doing what it is trying to do, to take a number of steps all at once.

These steps include meeting with those who submitted the [airport] bids, and clearly explaining to them the common Maldivian view on this, and the view of the political parties.

The Financial Act Amendments Bill, which is in the finishing stages, is to be pushed fast through the Majlis.

Submit a no-confidence motion to the Majlis for a decision regarding the Minister for Finance Ali Hashim and the Minister for Civil Aviation Mahmood Razee who is responsible for the privatisation.

And until all these things are done, to cease all work on the tax bills submitted by the government to the Majlis.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Adhaalath party calls on MPs not to misuse their powers

The Adhaalath Party has called on Majlis MPs not to misuse the powers given to them by the constitution and to fulfill their responsibilities to the nation and their religion.

”We call on the government ministries and institutions to conduct all their projects in the best interests of the country and in a way that will benefit the immediate and the long term future of the country,” said the Adhaalath Party in a press release. ”We call on the Police and Maldives National Defence Forces (MNDF) not to listen to door-knock of injustice and torture.”

The party said all its members would co-operate to establish peace and harmony in the country.

”We appeal to all the people to work in the best interests of the country and people and to help each other,” the press release said. ”While a government is established to serve the people, the Adhaalath party is very concerned about the challenges the government has to face today. These challenges are causing endless grief.”

The country has reached to a complete deadlock, said the leader of the party, Sheikh Hussein Rasheed. ”It is the responsibility of the three powers of the state to run the country,” he said, ”but they are in conflict with each other and obstructing each other’s duty.” He advised the three powers to co-operate with each other.

The Adhaalath party has recently met with the President Mohamed Nasheed after the entire cabinet resigned, and the party shared the concern of the government that the opposition controlled parliament does not cooperate with the elected government.

”The party will not participate in any activity that is not in conformity with the principles of the party,” it said in the press release.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Maldives facing biggest challenge to its constitution: President Nasheed

Maldives is facing its biggest challenge in implementing the constitution, said President Nasheed in his weekly radio address, and “We should face this hurdle with aptitude, patience and wisdom.”

Referring to the circumstances surrounding the mass resignation of his cabinet on Tuesday, the president said they resigned in protest at the behaviour of members of the Majlis who they claimed were “hijacking” the powers of the executive and making it impossible for cabinet ministers to function.

The cabinet ministers alleged that MPs’ votes at the Majlis were influenced by bribery.

These allegations must be investigated, the president said, and an investigation was underway and people were being arrested.

The president said the constitution should be upheld to achieve the development the country wanted, and for the benefit of future generations.

Everything we do today to shape the future should depend on the lessons learnt from the history of this country, he said.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

New members for Presidential Commission investigating alleged embezzlement

The Presidential Commission established in 2009 to investigate alleged embezzlement of state funds and resources was reconstituted by President Nasheed yesterday.

The commission will now be chaired by Sarangu Adam Manik and Hussain Rasheed Ahmed. The other two members are Mohamed Aswan and Abdulla Haseen.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Maldives heading towards military dictatorship: Yameen

The lack of ministers after their resignations, lack of consultations with the Majlis, and rule by the President, means that Maldives is heading to a military dictatorship, said People’s Alliance party leader Abdulla Yameen after police raided his house in connection with bribery and treason charges laid last week.

The charges against Yameen and Jumhooree Party leader Gasim Ibrahim followed a mass resignation of the ministers appointed by President Nasheed. They complained to the president that corruption and bribery in the Majlis meant they were unable to function.

Yameen also called for a referendum on President Nasheed’s leadership.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)