:: Dhivehi Observer :: Peoples Press ::

Can the Maldivian Democratic Party do a better job in the government?

Mariyam Mohamed, Male', 4th October 2004

Reformists in Maldives have expressed their will

Gayyoom has single-handedly starved a nation of its future by being an autocratic rule. He has not allowed any form of opposition to his rule, beginning with press and media. Everything is controlled, even the thinking of the people. Those who oppose him are labelled as traitors and crushed.

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) declared on 10^th November 2003 that his government was illegitimate. The statement made it very clear that MDP does not recognise Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom as the elected President of Maldives.

Mr. Gayyoom has undermined the constitution of the Maldives on numerous occasions and should therefore be removed from office for committing treason as per article 12 of the constitution. However, Mr. Gayyoom has protected himself around a group of puppets, his family and close friends, to ensure that he could not be impeached or removed from office by the powers vested in the representatives of the people, the Parliament. In any case, Maldives does not have a constitutional court and besides Mr. Gayyoom is the head of the judiciary. What will happen now is that popular disquiet and anger will force him to resign. He has angered thousands of Maldivians and he might even be assassinated, there is no telling. This is one of the reasons why he is so heavily guarded. When that happens, an interim government will take over.

Reformists now know how to demonstrate peacefully and demand their rights

"Do we have another leadership?" is a common question that many Maldivians ask. It is not hard to get the answer to this question because at the moment MDP is the only solution to the problems and the only alternative. MDP still has a long way to go but they are a group of competent people and Maldivians have faith in them. In addition, they are an organised opposition recognised and supported by the international community now. There is no doubt that upon the demise of Gayyoom's dictatorship, pluralistic democracy will be established in the Maldives paving way for several political parties to emerge and get established. However, it is apparent from the popular sentiments that Maldivians will never forget what MDP has done for them and would aspire to be governed by them. Unless MDP makes an outrageous blunder, MDP will have a very powerful role to play in the polity of Maldives for a long time.

MDP needs a manifesto but they cannot pass a manifesto when they are not able to organise a general assembly for its members. Many criticise the MDP for not having an official Manifesto. The draft manifesto could very well be adopted and become the official one after the first general assembly. More ideas will be discussed as all the members of the party will have a say in it. However, MDP's key personnel at the moment are true believers in pluralistic democracy and therefore, good governance is expected. Public services such as health, education and social security will be provided adequately with equal opportunity for all. MDP will protect the rights of all citizens as well as residents of Maldives by upholding the rule of law and the constitution of the Maldives. MDP can make Maldives, a model democracy that thrives on creativity and human endurance and provides an equitable life for each and everyone citizen. MDP will govern with a humane agenda.

Why can't the MDP leadership govern the Maldives? Several members of MDP have tremendous leadership qualities. They have shown this in the extraordinary manner in which they are bringing down the dictatorship of Gayyoom in just a matter of months. The international community now respects the MDP and its leadership for their total commitment to non-violence.

The current government of Maldives, with its propaganda machine, tries to discredit the leadership of MDP. Fortunately, the general public are now aware of this. They now know that MDP is capable of running the Maldives. They now know that MDP leadership is being framed so Gayyoom can conduct his illicit family business in the name of governance.

Reformist MPs walked out of the Parliament House on 19th July 2004 in protest

Qasim Ibrahim, Dr. Munavvar, Ibrahim Hussain Zaki, Ibrahim Ismail, Mohamed Naseem (Nafa), Dr. Hussain Rasheed, Ahmed Adhil, Ibrahim Mohamed Soleh, Mohamed Latheef (Gogo), Ahmed Muizz, Hassan Afeef, Ibrahim Shareef, Mohamed Nasheed (Anni), Ahmed Shafeeq (Sappe'), Ahmed Mausoom, Hassan Zahir, Ilyas Hussain Ibrahim, Ali Faiz, Mohamed Shihab, Husnu Al-Suood, Ahmed Nazim, Jeniffer Latheef, Ahmed Athif are respected, credible, experienced and educated people who can make the 'Maldives Story' a success. Many more people will join the Party when it is establish and begin operations in the Maldives. In a free and fair society, Gayyoom's party will not stand a chance because of their dictatorial portfolio. Mr. Gayyoom knows this very well and that is why he is so scared of allowing these people to form an opposition. It will destroy his 'Secret Dictatorship' once and for all. Underlined names above are elected Members of the Parliament. Mohamed Latheef and Mohamed Nasheed were former Parliament Members who were harassed out by Gayyoom. This is a clear indication of the readiness of the Maldivian Democratic Party to form the next government.

Imagine as an interim government made up of the above people. With determination and will power, with the aspirations for a prosperous future and with the blessings of the international community, this interim government can bring about irreversible democratic reform to the Maldives. This interim government can hold democratic elections within 3 months and form a government of the people.

This is an achievable dream and it is the dream of the vast majority of Maldivians because everyone wants 'Good Governance'.