:: Dhivehi Observer :: Peoples Press ::

The Abuse of foreign aid in the Maldives

By M. Luthfee - 18 June 2004

At a reception to mark Maldives 38th independence anniversary, president Maumoon A. Gayyoom told his visiting dignitaries that sea level rise is his biggest concern at the moment. The president informed those in attendance, including foreign dignitaries, that it was one of the issues he discussed with every foreign head of state he has ever met. The Japanese Ambassador, according to Gayyoom, insisted that he must be given assurance that the funds his government has provided to protect the islands would not end up being embezzled by corrupt government officials. According to Gayyoom, the Japanese Ambassador said to him “we know that this money belongs to your country, but we want to have a say in the spending of the money because people say the money will go in corruption”. Quite instructive, you may say. President Gayyoom fell short of admitting what the whole world knows – that he is running the most corrupt government on earth. But it is ironical of the diplomats, those same diplomats that he meets with on a regular basis, will look him in the eye and tell him he is corrupt and presides over the most corrupted nation in Asia. But Gayyoom didn’t see the irony. It is my contention that his family members wouldn’t dare be corrupt if he were not.

Two events in Maldives (which may or may not be related) could have a bearing to what the Japanese Ambassador told Gayyoom in his own office. The first was the arrest of three men and a woman in Male for allegedly publishing opposition views; and the second is a report in another opposition newsletter, published by the irrepressible writers of Maldivesculture.com. In the report captioned “NSS Brutality”. After reading the story of this newsletter, my first thought was, when would we see an end to this brutality? Because apart from the brutalities many remain detained without any charges for very minor offences while many of his family members and cabinet ministers openly defy the laws of Islam and the country. What is more interesting about the whole thing is that most of the prisoners are arrested on drug and petty theft charges but later on tortured for unruly behaviour while in prison. Coincidence, you might say. I am sure the Japanese Ambassador may have heard about the growing corrupt practices by the regime and the inhumane treatment of our prisoners in telling our own president what he has heard from other Japanese living and visiting the country.

The arrest, detention and trial of the three men and a women in Male for allegedly writing about the current regime is a riddle of sorts to, for after all the President and his family members are not known to be modest with their new found wealth. Anybody living in Male can attest to the fact that wealth is now flaunted by the nouveau riche with reckless abandon. The existence of such properties around the world; the construction of an island resort; the completion of another resort in Alif Atoll that was started in 1986 and suspended after Ilyas was sent on exile since then and such others recently acquired should raise eyebrows, I believe. Properties are erected on annual basis from Aarah to Feeali and Magoodho, islands in Faafu Atoll. A few minutes trip from where I live in Laamu Isdhoo is another palatial residence of our revered Transport Minister. I have heard through the grapevine that his passion for property acquisition has descended on Kuala Lumpur to Singapore like wildfire. He is discreetly buying off houses for his retirement. Very soon the suburbs of Putra Jaya may also emerge as a permanent address for our dear leader. Yet it is only Gayyoom’ and his families names that are invoked in any discourse on corruption as if they are the only culprits. The Japanese Ambassador, I presume is aware that Gayyoom and his brothers are in government, hence he is reluctant to release the “aid money” for fear it may find its way back to Swiss banks instead to protect the people of the Maldives.

All this opulence is in the midst of decaying public infrastructure, social anomie and excruciating poverty. Over 65% of the local population live from hand to mouth yet this nouveau riche flaunt their wealth like confetti. A decade and half ago, MLD President Ismail Saadiq reminded his audience “the extremes of opulence and want are more remarkable, and more constantly obvious, in this country than any other that I ever seen”. He was referring to present day Maldives under Gayyoom. A first time visitor to Maldives may be forgiven to think the country is just coming out of a heaven while its people linger in neighbouring islands that are built exclusively as prisons and torture chambers. The beautiful waterfront with mirrored buildings and expensive yachts are what these holidaymakers have only seen in places like Monaco and French Rivera. I always have the impression that the sea fronts in Mediterranean coasts may be in a better shape than those in Maldives but many visitors are deceived as we display our luxuries to them.

I recently read a story credited to the government that they want to go to the capital market to look for money to, among other things, build houses in Hulhumale. I couldn’t believe the story and was in fact looking forward to a confutation but none was forthcoming. I was wondering how Gayyoom would bring MIFCO, MSL, and Air Maldives into the stock market. All of them are in debt or bankrupt. Is he going to bring STELCO, MWSC and DHIRAAGU as suggested by MLD? Successive board members of these state enterprises have refused to make them accountable to public, while they were been given worldwide trips to attend board meetings and expensive perks in various forms.

Maldives has the unique feature of a town straddling two sides – The islands, yet lacks portable drinking water for the simple reason that there has been no effort in 25 years to provide them the basic utility services. Few residents of Male' earn more than a Swiss national, while the islanders dig shallow wells to get drinking water.

The escapades of the Police Commissioner are well publicised for the whole world to take note; the extravagant lifestyle of the President’s family and their disdain for the poor are on all the Internet news portals. I am therefore surprised that Gayyoom found what the Japanese Ambassador told him at the reception worth repeating to his invited guests. Evidence of corruption stares him in the face every morning. He should therefore stop playing the ostrich and be sincere or else forget about his much trumpeted speech on reforms.