:: Dhivehi Observer :: Peoples Press ::

No reforms: Gayyoom wants the death of democracy in Maldives

from a correspondent - 14 October 2004

edited slightly by Dhivehi Observer

President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom wants to impose his ideas on others and tell them how they should behave and live. Everyone is entitled to a personal view about what counts as acceptable behavior, and everyone is entitled to advance their ideas as expressively and forcefully as they can.

Gayyoom goes much further; he wants others to do bend to his personal will and is happy to use force. His actions show insensitivity, intolerance, a lack of human kindness, lack of imagination and no intelligent vision for the future. Gayyoom cannot empathise with others. He arrogantly and stupidly believes that his limited ideas are the only acceptable way.

Gayyoom defends his actions by saying he is trying to protect others from harm, and claims that Black Friday (13 August 2004) is in the interests of Maldives' national security and that the reformers were violent. Gayyoom set it up! He organised the stabbing of the policeman. He ordered a government building set on fire. This was done through his brother Abdulla Yameen, the Minister of Trade.

Gayyoom attacks liberal legislation for human rights, freedom of expression and justice. Gayyoom prefers the traditionalist fantasy of rule based on family members. Gayyoom claims to represent majority public opinion, but that is a totally dishonest ploy. He is afraid of liberal attitudes and a more relaxed society.

Gayyoom is comical when confronted. He complains and blames, stamping his feet and waving his umbrella in outrage. He is happy to beat young prisoners like Eevan Naseem to death, and shoot others in the jail. He is hungry for Maldivians' blood. Gayyoom is a menace, causing not just 'general inflammation and irritation' in our society, but also downright misery to anyone who seems to disagree with him. Tolerance is a important leadership virtue that Gayyoom does not have. He has no right to tell others how to live, provided they are not harming others.

This is a no clearer example of Gayyoom's character than the beating and arrests of peaceful demonstrators on Black Friday. It was a non-violent demonstration. The vigil at Republican Square was an example of the freedom and criticism that Gayyoom fears. He thinks that unless a tight grip is kept on Maldivians' thoughts and instincts, the earth will break open and demons will rise to take him out of power. This is the belief that he grew up with.

How can such a man bring democracy and change to Maldives? Freedom and tolerance of others' viewpoints, and accepting that democracy should decide which ideas prevail, are concepts that Gayyoom utterly rejects. He and his relatives and close friends rule with hard and uncompromising political views. They will bring death to democracy in Maldives, not reform.