President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan was interviewed last week by Steven Sackur for the BBC’s flagship news programme ‘HARDtalk’. Former President Mohamed Nasheed spoke with the uncompromising Sackur one month ago and the current president’s appearance on the show was no less hard-hitting.
When introducing the president, Mr Sackur contrasted the idyllic “heaven” of the Maldives’ image in the tourism industry, with the “political hell” of “street protests, sporadic violence and parliamentary chaos.”
In Sackur’s first question to Waheed, he referred to a recent press release during Waheed’s tour of Shaviyani Atoll. Waheed was asked how he could describe the country as having changed for the better?
Waheed explained that the last three years had seen an erosion of the constitution’s values and the rule of law in the country and that he felt he had an opportunity to put democracy “back on track.”
Sackur went on to contrast this response with a statement Waheed had, as the former vice-president, given to the United Nations General Assembly last September. In the statement, Waheed said “Maldivians enjoy more freedoms today than at any other point in their history”, describing the Maldives as a “harbinger of the Arab awakening”.
At this point, Waheed drew upon the example of the military detention of Chief Justice Abdulla Mohamed, positing this as a breach of the people’s basic rights to freedom from arbitrary arrest and freedom from fear.
This answer prompted Sackur to ask whether this incident was sufficient to justify a coup. Waheed denied that there had been a coup.
After asking Mr Waheed to comment on the opinions of his brother, former Deputy High Commissioner to the UK, Naushad Waheed, that the current government was illegitimate, he responded that his brother’s loyalty to Nasheed was understandable, having been appointed to a senior diplomatic post by the former President.
Leadership?
The intensity of the interview climaxed as Sackur pressed Waheed to commit to the early elections that have been called for by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and the Commonwealth.
Waheed steadfastly maintained that as the President, he was constitutionally able to move elections forward only 120 days. Whilst theoretically in support of early poll, his continued deferral to the People’s Majlis appeared to wear thin with Sackur.
Waheed: “[Nasheed] can have elections this year if the parliament approves an amendment to the constitution…I am all for it and I have already said that I will encourage and work with all political parties…”
Sackur interrupted, “So when? When would you like to see the election?”
“As early as the Parliament wants” responded Waheed hesitantly before again being cut off by his interviewer.
“Yes but when? Show some leadership here. You have taken the job, you are the President, tell me when these elections could take place – the earliest moment,” prodded Sackur.
“We have several political parties here. This is not a dictatorship” responded Waheed.
After this exchange, Sackur was able to gain Waheed’s assurance that the arrangement for early elections ought to be the first order of business for resolving political deadlock in the country.
This commitment itself was significant as a major stumbling block in the all-party talks has been the failure to agree on an order of precedence for the seven-point agenda, of which early presidential elections is just one point.
This impasse resulted in the opening of Parliament on March 1 being blocked by the MDP who are poised to do the same with tomorrow’s rescheduled opening.
Faustian Pact?
The next line of questioning concerned the controversial make-up of Waheed’s government, which has come under scrutiny due to a number of representatives who also worked under the authoritarian President Maumoon Gayoom.
After Waheed had highlighted the MDP’s refusal to trust his administration, Sackur commented: “Maybe by throwing your lot in with Gayoom’s people he doesn’t feel you’re deserving of his trust. Let’s remember, Gayoom is the man who made him a prisoner of conscience, who in effect forced you into exile for years.”
“Gayoom and his people are not committed to democracy,” continued Sackur, “Why are you working with them?”
Waheed defended his appointments, arguing that there are seven political parties involved in his cabinet and that only three of the fourteen are from Gayoom’s Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM). He also added that some of Nasheed’s closest allies had worked in Gayoom’s cabinet.
“This country is a small country” said Waheed, “Gayoom was ruling this country for thirty years. Most of the people who have got education here went through higher education during his time. Government was the biggest employer so almost everybody had some role in this government.”
After being asked about the brutal suppression of demonstrators the day after Nasheed’s resignation, Waheed argued that those protesting Nasheed’s government at the start of the year were dispersed similarly and “nobody made a big deal of it”.
He did concede that the police force was in need of better training in order to build people’s confidence in its capability.
At this point, Sackur summarised his argument by asking the President if he had ever wondered in his “darker moments” if he had “engaged in a Faustian pact?”
The journalist continued to suggest that this ‘deal with the devil’ may mean things in the Maldives will get worse before they get better.
Waheed responded, “We have a situation here where it’s Nasheed’s way or no way. All the political parties are working with me, they represent a majority of the people in this country…The only disturbances that are caused here are caused by Mr Nasheed’s supporters.”
To conclude, Sackur asked how long this “Very difficult phase in the Maldives current politics was going to last?”
“I hope not too long” replied Waheed, “Even today I met with the parliamentary leader of Nasheed’s party and I have assured him that I would support any decision of the parliament to hold early elections”
“I have assured him that we will have elections, even if the parliament can’t agree, we will have elections as early as possible under the current constitution.”
The leader of the MDP’s Parliamentary group, Ibrahim Mohamed ‘Ibu’ Solih, emerged from the aforementioned meeting reporting his disappointment that no progress had been made.
Waheed was allowed the final word: “We have come to this point because we have not respected the constitution and we have not respected the rule of law. The last thing I want to do is circumvent the constitution.”
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Daniel Bosley!!
First and formost question really is WHY MDP FAILED IN RUNNING A SMOOTH GOVERNMENT? WHO WERE REALLY BEHIND THE FAILURE? I find it hard to believe Minivannews is now an independent news! As its now similar to Haveeru News during the times of dictator Gayoom.
Reasons for MDP failure:
1. Inherited cronies from Gayoom got into MDP and took control of MDP at the core. People like Ibrahim Hussain Zaki, Mariya (FBID famous cases with her ex Husband), Rekko Moosa and many young cronies like MP Alhan, MP Ali Waheed, MP Abdul Raheem started their corruption deals and roiting MDP from the core! This lead to huge flustration among the MDP reformers and some geting corrupt as well.
2. Nasheed geting too arrogant and pleasure mood with his party team.
3. Supporting extreme athetists and deviants in soceity like Hilath and the likes of him like Sarangu Adam Manik.
4. Lack of any moral principles and let alone any system of governance. Nasheed personaly believeing he is the supreme leader and he is always right!
5. Supporting and prefering street thugs (MDP, PPM, DRP calls these groups as "activtist") over the real reformers and thinkers. Nasheed's close association with these thugs like Yameen and Thasmeen is classic! Thus repels the reformers and only attracts thugs, crime lords and drug lords!! Jabir is one who fits into all of it..and yet Nasheed thought Jabir would be obedient and he thought he is always right and it turns out to be Jabir did few wounds into the MDP!! Nasheed still repeating the mistakes?? Nasheed you had the opportunity to be the hero..but you are lossing it fast..why? coz you are too binded with cronies and you can't breath without them!! You think you can do good to the country by sleeping with these cronies and buddy you are mistaken!! REFORM MDP NOW!!
ELECTION NOW, TO SAVE THE COUNTRY. LET THE PEOPLE SPEAK!
Great Interview Mr President. Good luck with your job Dr Waheed, we know it hasn't been very easy for you to manage this country since you became president, becasue there are some hooligans and terrorists on the streets always bothering you. But don't worry, we the people of the maldives are with you and our prayers and best wishes are with you. Bravo. Keep up the sicere work you are doing for this country. You are a true maldivian and we are proud of you.
Bandit Waheed should realise that the people of Maldives voted for the MDP manifesto. Bandit Waheed has no right to form his own cabinet without consulting MDP.
Fanditha Waheed is so greedy that he will never listen to anyone who talks about an early election date
@reform mdp
i support ur comments as i understnd ur more like me.i suported the mdp n still support da efforts of mr.nasheed.even if so, my support for him n his party fell after aforementioned things took place.i currently do not support ny political activities by any party as i blive there is yet to be a president hu wud truly luv our nation n its citizens... the country literaly sits at da brink of civil war o rather in war.my concern lies with my kids n many other children. i think its time the brits or da americans take over.. we have failed to lead a constitution..failed as muslims n failed as a country...waheed...step down,anni leave da country as da hero u r,maumoon, thasmeen,reeko,yaamin,gasim,ilyas, afeef, saleem, the only thng u cn do for dis country now is to commit suicide..
@maxed4901
I do not think any of these corrupt leaders in politics would give an inch to make Maldives a peacefull society unless their cravings for power is fully satisfied!!
I ONLY THINK THE CHOICE IS FOR YOUNG EDUCATED YOUTH TO RISE UP AND TURN THE COUNTRY FROM THIS DRIVE TO DISTRUCTION!! I THINK ITS TIME TO SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!! WE NEED TO LIVE HERE IN MALDIVES AS TOLERANT MUSLIMS, RESPECT EACH OTHER, SHARE WEALTH AND PROMOTE KNOWLEDGE!! I KNOW NASHEED (ANNI) IS READING THIS!! pLEASE PAVE WAY FOR THIS OR JUST STAY SILENT! WE WILL INSHA ALLAH RISE UP!! IT WOULD BE NOT FOR VENGENCE BUT FOR OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE!! ANNI I KNOW YOU KNOW WHO I AM!!
Hi Reform MDP NOW and maxed4901,
If you dream of sincere politicians, you guys will always be bitterly disappointed. Politicians are inherently power hungry. Men and women who, regardless of capability aspire to be in positions of power usually are not the Mandela's or Gandhi's of the world.
More than the MDP, PPM and the plethora of Maldivian political organizations, what needs reform is the brains of the Maldivian public. The free and fair vote is useless if the voting public's decisions' undermine their own welfare. The vote is the only weapon the people wield to keep politicians inline. Make the vote speak, politicians overwhelmingly reform themselves.
PS: All caps only irritates readers and doesn't serve it's intended purpose of emphasizing the message.
@peasant!
Your point on Caps is noted with thanx!
But I fail to agree with you that politicians are mere power hungry at "any cost"!! People like Mariya, Rekko Moosa, Sarangu Adam, Ibrahim Hussain Zaki, Gayoom, Nasheed, Thasmeen, Yameen are not just power hungry but these people would kill a whole nation for their thirst for power!! Politicians should be hungry for power! but it should be limited within certain principles and moral values!! These principles and moral values will bring some structure and build the country, otherwise its a mere jungle of animals!! Worst than animals!! Peasant, I know you have some moral principles in your bones, but you are supressing it because you don't want to be an "odd" one within MDP to stand up or your are becoming an animal yourself..not yet fully installed!! Please go and visit the orphanage in vilingili in greater Male' and watch the inoccent children whose lives are made misrable because these selfish and animalistic politicans greed is greater than the welfare of these children who are deprived of parents as a social consequences of the immorallity of these people!! Wake up will ya!!
Waheed looked like he might pee in his pants any second, his press team must have put him on hard talk just for laughs. When there are so many skeletons in your closet you don't go on hardtalk.
Waheed is just a puppet of Gayoom (Gayoom is a puppet of Nasreena) and Nasheed has in his sane mind become a puppet of Mariya, Rekko Moosa and Ibrahim Hussain Zaki and the Pleasures! So we have all puppets in this country! Why? Simply NO love for the principles and Maldives! Worshipers of own desires! Vodka it is for the late regime and Gayoom it is for the current regime! Interesting indeed!
at peasant...*thrown_garbage*
so yes...good to know dat u agree on fixing the brains of the public.. luks like u need fixing my friend...thru all this,the only thing dat came to ur mind ws voting...while those votes r literaly bought from the naive islanders with promises of jetties n provisions of schools n hospitals or even to the point of free electricity (reeko moosa)..
also, for u it may seem a crime to know dat i have only voted once in my life...nt for a jetty, nor a car nor for a luxury resort experience..but FOR A CHANGE... n it was rewarded...
u peasant is a true politician...pple like us dont go asking...v stay put n make promises only v cn make....
maxed, Reform
Calm down and re read your comments. You are indignant about the vote being sold by the naive islanders. As am I. And yes they are "animals", who despite their behavior enjoy large public support. Who do you blame more the animal or its supporter?
Now what if the islanders refused to sell their vote for money and instead demanded tangible long term benefits for their community? Lessons will be learnt by the politicians. For e.g. had they been in Europe, Reeko and Mariya would never be accepted by the voters (due to credible allegations of financial gain from undue influence by the position they hold- graft). Not that the Europeans are born smart, they just learnt things.
As for orchestrating a coup? That would be political suicide for any party or anyone associated with it, i.e. in any mature democracy. The offending party would become a pariah overnight and would lose support of its own members.
In Maldives a large number of people celebrate it.
We deserve what we get, if we back our colors no matter what. The country deserves the politicians its got. Power comes from the people.
People change first politicians will follow. Without broad public demand, there will be no reform anywhere.
Get my drift?
BIASED AND DOUBLE-STANDARDS -REGIME! WAHEEDO THE HYENA CHANGES COLOUR EACH TIME! PRESIDENT NASHEED WAS OBSTRUCTED BY THIS HYENA(WAHEED) BY DIRTY TACTICS, TO ESTABLISH HIMSELF IN POWER!
@peasent: What you have said is deeply wise, I never cease to learn from your insightful comments also, yes, humans are allways prone to corruption, but our ability to vote them out pushes them to push themselves to be less greedy.
Peasent, one last thought, what you imply about the need for some kind of a transformation is so true