Month: September 2010

DRP plan “For Sale” protest

Opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) will launch a protest against the government’s alleged sale of state assets and property tomorrow night at 9pm at the artificial beach.

According to DRP Deputy Leader Umar Naseer, the purpose of the protest, dubbed “For Sale”, was to “raise our voices against the government’s policy of leasing state assets.”

“This government has sold important state assets such as the international airport, schools and other state assets,’’ he claimed, adding that he did not believe the government would listen before police were forced to use tear gas against protestors.

‘’But we are not going to take it that far on the first night,’’ he added.

“Peace talks”

Umar, along with MPs Ilham Ahmed, Ali Arif and Ahmed Mahlouf submitted a resolution to the DRP council to terminate discussions with the government “until the president gets inside the chart.”

The resolution states that the government routinely disregards both the constitution and legislation passed by parliament.

It also claims that the government secretly and publicly attempted to bribe DRP MPs.

If the DRP council adopts the resolution, the main opposition party will not engage in any discussions with the government until it adheres to the Maldives Broadcasting Corporation Act and amendments brought to the Public Finance Act.

Last month, parliament overruled a presidential veto and passed the amendments requiring the government to seek parliamentary approval for any sale or lease of state assets.

Spokesperson for the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) parliamentary group, MP Mohamed Shifaz, argued meanwhile that privatisation and public-private partnerships were the stated policy of the government.

‘’MDP does not have to follow the policy of DRP, they are just afraid that the people may witness the benefits of the privatisation policy’s success,’’ said Shifaz. ‘’DRP is troubling the government instead of making it accountable.’’

Shifaz explained that people protested when the government announced plans to privatise Giyasuddeen School last year.

“But today people complain that there are no seats in Giyasuddeen School because so many people enrolled their kids there after it was privatised,’’ Shifaz said. ‘’Because it was us doing it, DRP was against, if it was done by someone among them, they would have cooperated and supported it.’’

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President confers ‘State Dignitary’ title on tourism pioneers

President Mohamed Nasheed conferred the title of ‘State Dignitary’ upon Mohamed Umar Manik and Champa Hussein Afeef at a ceremony this morning, making it the first time the title was conferred in recognition of contributions by individuals outside the government.

Speaking at the ceremony at the President’s Office, President Nasheed explained that ‘state’ was an expansive concept under the new constitution and it was important to recognise services of individuals.

Both men made immense contribution to the development of Maldives, he added, especially in the tourism sector.

Speaking to press after the event, Manik and Afeef thanked the government for the recognition and “appreciation” of their efforts.

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Corruption case against Kaashidhoo MP begins

MP for Kaashidhoo Ismail Abdul Hameed appeared in court today facing charges of corruption and abuse of authority while he was director of the Male’ municipality.

Elected as an independent, Hameed signed for the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) last year but left the ruling party shortly after.

According to Haveeru, Hameed’s lawyer questioned whether the case was officially sent to the Prosecutor General’s (PG’s) office by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), arguing that the letter requesting prosecution was signed only by former ACC President Ali Rasheed Umar.

Deputy PG Mahmoud Saleem replied that the normal procedure was for the chair of the commission to sign official correspondence.

Today’s hearing was adjourned after the judge asked the prosecution to submit documents from the ACC at the next hearing.

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Civil court dismisses lawsuit against Thasmeen

Civil court has dismissed three lawsuits against Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali filed by three directors of the company Victorious Travels and Tours claiming compensation for the sale of Shaviyani Kabaalifaru resort.

The judge ruled that there were no legal grounds to hear the case in the absence of a legally binding agreement between the claimants and Thasmeen, reports Haveeru.

The three directors of the company claim that the resort was sold to Thasmeen by the fourth director, Ali Shareef, M. Anavilla, on the condition that proceeds from the sale would be handed over to the company.

While a portion of the amount had been paid, the claimants sought damages for the unpaid amount.

The 200-bed Kabaalifaru resort was awarded in 2006 for a rent of U$13.8 million over 10 years.

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Former Information Minister Ibrahim Hussein Manik faces prosecution

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has forwarded a case for prosecution against former Information Minister Ibrahim Hussein Manik to the Prosecutor General’s (PG’s) office, seeking damages worth US$530,707 for the state.

A statement issued by the ACC yesterday reveals that an investigation into purchases made by Television Maldives in 2000 and 2001 found that the Information Minister “abused his position for undue gain” and violated the state assets and financial regulations.

According to the ACC, the minister sent advance payments on two occasions to Singaporean company Pro-Audio, which went bankrupt in 2001.

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President calls for renewal of commitment to democracy

President Mohamed Nasheed called on the public yesterday to renew their commitment to consolidating democracy in the Maldives while “visualising the big picture” on the occasion of the International Day of Democracy.

“To reap the benefits of democracy, we must prioritise empowerment of women in national, political and social matters, strengthen civil society, establish a strong and proper judiciary, and implement measures to ensure respect and trust for judges,” reads the president’s message.

“We must remind ourselves that the development we hope for can only be achieved by inter party agreements on decentralisation and enacting free and fair local and national elections.”

Meanwhile opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) Leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali, writing in his personal website, accused the government of jeopardizing the country’s nascent democracy.

“Two years on, today, the joy seems to have vanished. Signs of discontent, dismay and frustration are to be seen and heard across the country,” he writes.

“The mixed emotions have strongly skewed towards distrust to the government on its direction, ability to deliver, and above all, the government’s sincerity in safeguarding the democratic principles and promoting democratic values.”

As a result of the “irresponsible” government, he argues, public confidence in a  democratic system of governance is compromised.

“It is a moral obligation of the government to promote democracy and its values and deliver on its campaign promises. DRP shall, in the best interest of the nation, keep on pressing the government to be responsible and will continue our fight for democracy and all its values.”

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Comment: Truth, justice and water boarding

For a foreigner living in the exotic hybrid of tourist paradise and Islamic state that is the Maldives, it can be a sometimes tough, occasionally exotic, yet never-boring life as an expat.

But the last few weeks have been particularly odd, with the world seemingly coming to an end amidst the build up to an imminent world war of ideologies.

The emerging conflict I speak of is the growing cultural divide between us, accelerated by ‘nutjobs’ both Islamic and non-Islamic, with sanity – as usual – caught in the middle.

And yet with all the drama triggered by the acerbic comments of the Florida-based pastor, Terry Jones, who recently proposed a ‘Burn a Quran Day’ in his 40 person Gainesville church, there appears to be an unlikely middle ground at the Ameenee Magu offices of the Male’ Water and Sewerage Company.

After all, the potential threat of a global religious war and its resulting nuclear holocaust can only go some way in recreating the monthly spectre of having to waste a lunchtime queuing up to pay a utility bill in the nation’s capital.

But it is in these moments, hunched among Maldivian strangers, that you begin to gleam some hope for society. Awaiting the sight of your ticket number flashing up on the screen – still a hundred or so people away – so one can pay their dues for the privilege of coffee and hot showers, an unlikely solidarity seems to form.

As a distinctly non-Maldivian looking chap amongst a very alien local populace, I was surprised to find myself not excluded from being passed old tickets from my fellow lingerers in a modest attempt to speed up one’s own personal waiting hell.

Between muffled and confusingly pronounced “fank yous” and “shukiriyams”, everyone is soon passing tickets on to one another – whether black, white or anything in between – with a growing sense of ceremony and desire to beat the system. It is about as much fun as you can have paying 500 rufiyaa of your own money over a counter.

Sure, it may not be a significant blow for world peace, but for my fellow queue buddies in the line on Monday afternoon (September 13, 2010) – thank you, it was a hoot, and I look forward to passing on the tickets again next month.

So some advice for Terry Jones and the violent Islamic protestors: whether Maldivian, American or just a pasty white redhead, before giving up in despair at the state of the world, go pay your utility bills and get some faith in your fellow man. It’s what the Male’ Water and Sewerage Company would want.

Neil Merrett is a Maldives-based British writer and journalist and most definitely not an employee of the Male’ Water and Sewerage Company.

All comment pieces are the sole view of the author and do not reflect the editorial policy of Minivan News. If you would like to write an opinion piece, please send proposals to [email protected]

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Supreme Court appeals for respect

The Supreme Court has appealed against “spreading misleading claims” harmful to the character and integrity of judges.

A statement issued by the court yesterday claims that such falsehoods would impede judges from impartially fulfilling their duties.

“And since protecting the honour and dignity of the courts with the law and through other means is obligatory upon all persons under article 141(d), and because the Supreme Court of the Maldives believes that making misleading claims about Maldivian judges violates the dignity of the lawful courts, we remind everyone to immediately cease spreading or repeating any misleading claim,” it reads.

The statement does not reveal the nature of the “misleading claims”; however, speculation in the media has focused on a case reportedly filed at the High Court challenging the eligibility of Supreme Court Justices.

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16-year-old stabbed

A 16-year-old boy was stabbed three times in the back near Star Cinema in Maafannu ward on Tuesday night, according to police.

Sub-Inspector Ahmed Shiyam confirmed the victim was taken to Indira Gandhi Memorial hospital for treatment following the attack.

However, Shiyam said it was too early to say whether or not the attack was linked to the controversial gang-favourite sport ‘Baibala’.

‘’We are still investigating the case and we haven’t discovered yet whether the stabbings are linked to Baibala tournament,” he said.

The government initially refused to authorise the annual Baibala Tournament this year after police expressed concern with the potential for violence between gangs during the competition.

However, permission was granted after a group of 150 players petitioned the president outside his residence.

Last month, a 16-year-old boy was stabbed to death after a football match between two gangs in the ’Maaziya’ football ground.

According to eyewitnesses, the victim was attacked by a group armed with knives and sticks.

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