:: Dhivehi Observer :: Peoples Press ::

Questions, questions and more questions that people want answers to.

OPINION - By 'Feedback' NY, USA - Sunday, May 23, 2004

I have been reading and listening to the diverse and ever increasing discussions in your forum, web site and the several other internet based groups ever since I developed a taste for Maldivian politics in the year 2000. It wasn't that I woke up one morning and suddenly developed an interest. It must have been coming.....brewing since the time I left Maldives for higher education. The years have taught me much about the Maldivian political scene. However, I still believe I am rather naive. In most recent weeks I have been reading the sometimes detailed accounts of different Maldivian political movements in and outside of the homeland.

I welcome the enormous amount of interest this is generating among ordinary Maldivians, not to mention those with more obvious political aspirations.

Let me declare at the very outset that I am NOT a supporter of either MDP or MLD. I am not a supporter of any of the other less apparently illustrious political parties. And I am definitely NOT among the worshippers of Gayyoom.

I must admit that I am happy to see things changing and would hope to see things change fast. But I am very skeptical about the true intentions of the different "parties" and personalities that have come out as political "saviors" of our troubled country.

I have always thought of myself as being very reasonable and accepting logic when it is presented to me. I am disappointed with the approaches of the many reformists who are offering their services.

Let me specify some of my thoughts.

MDP : The opportunity has presented itself to MDP to become a voice for dissent in the Maldives. Like the concerns of many people, I am disappointed that MDP has devoted their entire campaign to discredit the present regime. I understand that there is a lot to discredit, but a political party has to offer something to the public on which they can, if possible, judge the true intentions and the capacity of the movement. MDP has to convince me that they have a workable plan for the country once they come to serve the country. What you have done in identifying the weaknesses of the present regime is a beginning, but you need to propose a solution. Not just a broad statement "we will improve things". I want to know HOW you plan to do it. It has to be specific enough. I believe it is only fair, in this democratic age, that you present such details and we, the public demand them. I don't have the time at present to discuss the different areas that need improvement, but I would like to take the "health sector" as an area for discussion.

The Maldivian Health system is arguably the worst in the world. Calling it a system is an error in itself, it is too disorganized even for the label. Anyway, I would like the MDP to clearly state the different problems in the sector one by one and propose solutions for each. Details I expect to see in such a presentation is Why, What, When, How, by whom and at what cost you plan to get things done. I would also like to know details of the different people at the core of the party. I would like you to clarify matters regarding the "criminal" charges that have been either placed against you or "proved" against you. This is not to say that you are guilty as charged. I do believe that you are innocent until proven guilty. But this is to help myself and the many other Maldivians who would like to trust you. Trust you enough to stand up with you without fear that you are just another gold digger. I don't want these important decisions to be desperate decisions by the public. We want change. But we don't want just a change of a face.

There is a very well established system in Australia where the opposition has a shadow government. The opposition has its own shadow ministers. e.g. shadow health minister. Who can let the public know of the party's position on specific matters. You claim to be an opposition party, and we expect you to present similar opposition. Not just for the sole purpose of opposing. I do hope that you could, in due time, take credit for changes in the Maldives, but until then please stop claiming that everything that is happening is because of you. Get that change and we WILL credit you.

MLD: I was tempted to blame myself for not having heard of you earlier. It was a revelation for me when I read about you on the internet. But am I to blame? Or should you have made your political and good intentions known to Maldivians? I know a number of people knew about MLD since 1986 but I would be very surprised if it was many. Anyway, it is good to know that you are there now. I must admit that I don't know MLD or Saadiq for that matter. I knew that there were people in Maldivian Jails being tortured for political reasons, but I didn't have a name or a face on those persons.

There is so much written about Saadiq in recent days, from different people, who claim to have known him. However I would like Saadiq to come out and say as much as possible about himself.

I really liked the DP that MLD had come up with. Simply because it is the way to go. I did read it with much enthusiasm. But I am trained to read with a critical mind, thanks to my educational background. It is a very good effort and a good beginning, especially taking into consideration that no one has done it before. One thing that I noted while I read it was that in most places what MLD proposes to do is too general. I would like to get more details of how MLD plans to actually get things done. For instance how are you going to get public involvement in decision making? (The answer to that may be more obvious...but I hope I am making myself clear by saying that I also need some details, specific details on how thing are going to change once we elect you).

Saadiq: I find it very heartening that there are lots of people who apparently genuinely like you and appreciate your efforts. It helps me and possibly others in trusting you. But I just can't help wonder if this appreciation and support is simply because the vast majority of Maldivians desperately want change and you are the only (sorry MDP, but you haven't done as much yet) apparent replacement. Desperate people do desperate things. A drowning man will clutch even at a straw, if it was there. And if it was the only help available. I sympathize with you for all the hardship that you and your family have suffered at the hands of the present regime. And I really do appreciate your efforts to make our lives better. However, try as I may, I can't seem to get myself to accept that that is reason enough to let you run my country without knowing you better and knowing your specific detailed plans for us.

I don't like it when I hear that MLD "has members with high positions and power in the present regime". I don't want the corrupt and scum of the present regime to be the rotten apples in your party. If possible could you explain your association with these people? Or is this a political game? The ladder to climb. Excuse me, I may be the only person saying this in as many words, but why should we trust you? I will if you can give me credible reasons.

People don't get me wrong, I must admit that at present the only apparent alternative is Saadiq, but for those of us who have difficulty trusting people, we don't want to jump in and then find the water too deep.

If I may can I say a few words to Gayyoom?

Gayyoom: You were the apparent "savior" the last time around. You got your chance, and plenty of time too. I might get many people to roll theirs eyes at this but thank you for what you have done, and you have done some good things, but the bad far out weighs the good. You are an intelligent man, at least I think you were, and I am sure that you do realize that it is now time for you to go.

I know you don't want to and would like to hold on for as long as possible. But you do know that is not your best option. When the people force you to stand down, it won't finish at just that. An angry public can do unspeakable things, and what Maldivians are capable of is no secret. Amin Didi was unfortunate. Or was he fortunate that it wasn't worse?

If you do plan to stay on for a bit longer, you may as well get some sense into that head of yours. Get the changes that the public demand, and you know what they are, and do it fast. Most Maldivians think that you are not capable of doing any good any more. They have good reasons to think that and I don't blame them. Sorry no feed back for you. You have had enough over the decades.

I am desperate for change. I want things to improve and fast. I want Maldives to prosper and achieve its true potential. I want Maldivians to have a good health care system, working legal system, proper basic services, stable, honest and able leadership, humane prison system............etc.

I believe that it won't come over-night. It just might prove to be a disaster if we get what we are asking for, an immediate resignation of present regime, en masse. A leadership vacuum, the instability........and the uncertainty. Our expectations from the new leadership will be huge, with a real possibility that we will be disappointed with the pace of change. So for those of you who would like to serve as our leader please get your act together.....get proper plans in place and be ready. It is in our collective interest that you do.