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Aarah Island - Presidential Retreat has a mini palace for every one of his children - the multi million dollar luxury yacht is moored elegantly in the modern harbour which cost us Maldivians a few millions more

MV Arumaazu - one of the most exclusive and expensive cruise yachts in the region is owned by Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom

Presidential Palace - Theemuge - Male' ; is lavish and elegant but cost us more than all the island schools combined.

Is Gayyoom a billionaire?

Mariyam Mohamed, Male' 1st October 2004

Gayyoom's cousin Kaamineegey Zahid (Six-X Music Shop owner, former 20^th Century BC lead guitarist) has been rushed on a charter flight to Colombo for medical treatment today. Unconfirmed reports say that he is suffering from a brain haemorrhage. Notwithstanding our deepest shock for the direct family of Mr. Zahid, his sons and daughters, what we are highlighting here is the total misuse of public funds by Gayyoom. We hope that Zahid will recover fully in the shortest time possible. Many Maldivians like Zahid, who are unfortunately not related to Gayyoom's family pay the ultimate price when they are struck with a misfortune as this. Many Maldivian women have died during delivery because adequate medical facilities were not available in the island or in the Atoll. People have travelled for more than 24 hours in their small boats trying to get to Male' for delivery and many sadly pass away during the journey. No Maldivian can say that this is simple not true! Not even Gayyoom. He knows that this is the Simple Truth.

The treatment for the Maldives Royal Family and their friends is always uncompromising. Gayyoom is so rich that he does not spare much when he wants to treat his family, friends, the cabinet ministers and police officers.

Gayyoom and his family are regulars at the exclusive Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore, one of the most expensive in the region. Gayyoom does not like to be treated in Maldives because the service is not up to his Royal

The health sector in the Maldives is an absolute shambles. The people in the islands in particular do not have access to adequate medical services. Most islands don't even have a resident doctor. In many islands the doctor is paid by the people of the island. Everyday tens of hundreds of Maldivians go to India and Sri Lanka for some very basic diagnostic problems because it is more reliable and affordable. Former Health Minister Ahmed Abdulla once referred to patients as 'customers' saying that he does not have enough customers to invest more in the health sector.

Today, Dr, Raazee was flown in from Addu on a charter flight to attend to Mr. Zahid. Another chater flight is taking Zahid to Colombo.

Gayyoom must be a billionaire to be able to live in a multi-million dollar palace, sail in a multi-million dollar yacht, rejuvenate in an exotic paradise island and shop in Takashimaya until he drops dead. In addition, he can afford to charter flights at will and purchase million dollar homes in London for his kids.

Here is an example of how rich he is. Early this year during Thinadhoo Enamaa Boat Disaster, Gayyoom was in Singapore but came back for a day to visit Thinadhoo. He flew back to Singapore the next day. He did not check out of the Presidential Suite, which was costing him (or maybe us – we have to ask Koli Ali Manik or Adrian Bay for details) thousands of dollars. He is too prestigious and rich to check out for a day. He has too much money.

Another example. When Gayyoom attends the United Nations General Assembly or the summits, he stays in a Presidential Suite in Waldorf Astoria, the most expensive hotel in New York. Only Billionaire Arab Sheikhs stay there because it is so expensive. He is the only leader of the Least Developed Countries and poorest countries to stay there.

The average Maldivian lives in a pit hole and has to beg people around to buy school books and has to write to some businessman for financial assistance if someone in the family is sick.

Spare us Maldivians a bit of your fortune please, Your Mightiness?

"I am a poor man" he told Time Asia Reporter only last December. He is modest, isn't he?

Time Asia December 8, 2003
A Paradise Divided
Has Asia's longest-serving head of state lost touch with his restless populace?
BY ALEX PERRY | MALE'