:: Dhivehi Observer :: Peoples Press ::

Maldives cabinet reshuffle imminent

Editorial by A.S.I. Moosa, 27th August 2004, Male'

A.S.I.Moosa (Sappe')

Dhivehi Observer
Editor-in-chief

Gayyoom is being harassed by some members of his cabinet for the brutality and the treatment of the people of Maldives on Black Friday 13^th August. More importantly, some powerful friends of Qasim Ibrahim, Ibrahim Hussain Zaki and Dr. Munawwaru are not prepared to just sit back and relax and leave the fate of their friends in Gayyoom’s hands. Gayyoom expects 100% support, and submission and allegiance to his rule but he knows that some members of his cabinet are not completely in support of his ways of dealing with the public, especially their friends.

Furthermore, due to mounting international pressure, Gayyoom is thinking of setting up more representative offices in countries like Japan, China and Singapore as well. This is an attempt to avert a possible economic embargo, and to win back some international support. Some of the cabinet members may be posted abroad to continue promoting the dictator. Hence a cabinet reshuffle is imminent.

The Health Minister, former High Commissioner to India and Sri Lanka, is visiting these two countries to lobby their governments to support Gayyoom. India is a key player in the region and its support is paramount. Furthermore, Tourism Minister Sobir is in London and he is expected to tour Europe lobbying for support and rejection of the idea that Gayyoom is a brutal dictator being empowered and financed by dollars from the western tourists.

In the meantime, Gayyoom’s most powerful brother Abdullah Hameed is touring the islands and telling people to be completely submissive to the regime and saying that Gayyoom is their saviour and the one who has built a thriving economy. Hameed insists that reformist leaders like Sappey, Latheef and Anni are traitors to the nation and trying to destroy the economy. The public however are no longer blind to the reality that the wealth of the country is spent on the lavish life-styles of Gayyoom and his clan. The public refuses to attend Hameed’s meetings in islands now, and he forces foreign teachers and senior students in plain clothes to attend.

With the launch of Miniwan Radio by Friends of Maldives, the islanders will be informed of everything this regime does – corruption, nepotism, police brutality and injustices, as well as the horrible paedophile ring of Abdulla Hameed. Gayyoom’s absolute control of the media in Maldives has ended. Miniwan Radio is received throughout the archipelago. The best-selling items in Maldives now are shortwave radios. Also, Gayyoom has done all he can to block dissident websites such as www.dhivehiobserver.com and its mirror sites. However, Maldivians now know different ways to get in and the ISPs in Maldives are going to have to keep blocking new access links. Reformists have hundreds of proxies and anonymous addresses with which people can access blocked websites.

Gayyoom is now turning to East Asia for help, especially China, the fastest growing economy in the world. As a matter of absolute urgency, Gayyoom is sending his powerful brother Yameen to China and Japan. He is expected to arrive in Japan at the end of August. DO has already contacted Japanese media and human rights organisations, and other democratic institutions to alert them of this visit.

Gayyoom thinks he can get away with his acts of madness. He tried to buy the EU fact-finding mission, just as he buys the regions’ corrupt diplomats. The EU mission refused regime hospitality and got on with its job. DO can confirm that many of the victims of the Black Friday attack by the police, met with the EU delegation and explained in detail what happened to them. The mission was not told the truth by Gayyoom’s government as ever, and Dr. Shaheed, as usual, tried to protect the dictator. Many believe that Shaheed is being tested and groomed for the ultimate diplomatic post of Foreign Minister. What happens to Fathuhulla Jameel is anyone’s guess. He is likely to be made the Vice President or remain as an Advisor. Fathuhulla is apparently not so keen on public service anymore as wants to spend more time with his family, which is understandable as he is the worlds’ longest serving Foreign Minister.

Gayyoom however is reportedly suffering from acute amnesia and hence might not be able to perform his dictatorial tasks as effectively as he did for the past 26 years. This must be a breath of fresh air to the great majority of the Maldivians.