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Will Gayyoom consolidate and strengthen the democratic institutions?

Dhivehi Observer - 24 May 2004

In the aftermath of September 2003 events, which marked a breakaway from the old ethos of fear, Gayyoom appears to be budging to the demands of the reformists and the call for the establishment of a full democratic system in the Maldives. However, it is hard to see how he plans to reform the nation and offer more freedom and liberty to the people by restraining the flow of information within the country.

On 19th May, he briefed the cabinet on the the progress of the amendments that he will be proposing to the parliament. The President's Press Release reported that this objective of the proposal was to further consolidate democratic governance of the country and fundamental rights of the people.

According to the Press Release, the aims were to:

·         widen avenues for greater participation of the people
·         enhance checks and balances
·         increase decentralization
·         reinforce democratic institutions
·         strengthen the judiciary
·         sustain peace, social harmony and national security

The press release further reported that the cabinet deliberated upon draft legislations to be submitted to the parliament. At this moment in time, there are several people in the country who are sceptical about the whole issue of constitutional amendments.

For example, we all knew that the Human Rights Commission was setup after the September events to deal with those incidents and future issues relating to the human rights in the Maldives. To the amazement of a great many, they decided to propose an amendment to the constitution so that the women can become head of state in the Maldives. Rumour has that Gayyoom wants to appoint one of his daughters to replace him when he finally decides to step down. Pundits say that a Prime Ministerial position will be created and Dunya Maumoon will be appointed to the post. Gayyoom continues to appoint family members to high and powerful position despite repeated calls to clean up the government off nepotism. Last week, Hala Hameed, the daughter of his younger Brother, Speaker of the Majlis and Atoll Administrator, Abdullah Hameed was appointed to the post of Director General at the President's Office.

The term consolidation implies strengthening. Therefore, this consolidation process should be the result of lively debates and discussions at the parliament and to be made by an informed house. For this to occur, Gayyoom should allow the reformists to reach the members of the parliament and the people, to provide them with information.

Furthermore, Gayyoom must ensure that the elections of 28^th May 2004 will be free and fair. Dhivehi Observer has been informed that many in the Atoll have already been told by Minister Hameed and Minister Yameen who to vote for. The voters or the general public are not informed well of the purpose of electing the upper house of parliament. For them it is just another election and another opportunity to undertake a project in the island or get personal favours from the candidates.

DO's biggest fear is that Gayyoom might even do a "Niyazov" trick and appoint himself as President-for-Life. His parliament unanimously voted to make him the President-for-Life. Reporters without Borders reported that no press freedom is allowed in Turkmenistan, where the media are a propaganda tool used by President-for-Life Separmurad Niyazov. The newspapers carry a photo of the "Father of the Turkmen" on the front page. The TV channels show his picture on the side of the screen. He determines their editorial line. Many have been imprisoned in very harsh conditions for daring to criticise him. Journalists must choose between self-censorship or exile. Does this sound familiar to any of us?

Gayyoom could do even worse, he could declare himself as King or Sultan of Maldives. With the kind of impotent and ignorant lot who only knows how to look after their own interests, who have abandoned their responsibilities as representatives of the people, chaired by a his dear brother, can deliver his anything he wants. By proclaiming that he is the Sultan, the reign of power can be kept for the Kaaminee Seedhee Clan. Let's just hope and pray that it is only our fear.

Another prominent critic of this government said that this whole hype about the constitution is just to get people to detach from the real problems with the government. It is therefore important for Gayyoom to publish the amendments and let people discuss these in open forums and advice their respective MPs.

His press statement and speeches are all but a showcase to keep the Maldivians in the dark. If this was not the case, why is he so scared to let people make their own minds about what to read, watch and browse.

The formation of the Strategic Communications Unit at the Presidents' Office on 20th May 2004 is also another step forward in Gayyoom's control on the media and press.

This is the 21st century, we will fly over Maldives and drop leaflets if we have to but we will inform the people of Maldives. That is a promise by DO.

The President Briefs the Cabinet on Work-in-Progress in Drafting Amendments to the Constitution

Presidential Press Release reference number: 2004-291 19 May 2004

The President today briefed the Cabinet on the work that he was carrying out in formulating the Constitutional amendments that he plans to submit to the People’s Special Majlis. He said that the objective of the proposals that he was working on was to further consolidate democratic governance of the country and the fundamental rights of the people. He pointed out that the proposed amendments will widen avenues for greater participation of the people, enhance checks and balances, increase decentralization, reinforce democratic institutions, strengthen the judiciary, and sustain peace, social harmony and national productivity.

The President said that the proposals were being formulated on the basis of the aspirations outlined in the Maldives Vision 2020 and on the views communicated by the people during the intensive discussions on national reform that he undertook with people of all walks of life in recent months, as well as the proposals submitted to him in response to his call to the people last year to submit to him their ideas and suggestions on expediting national progress and reform.

Ministers recalled the scope and scale of constitutional reform that had been implemented at the President’s initiative over the last 25 years, and noted that significant measures had already been implemented by the President in recent months in order to strengthen respect for human rights and civil liberties and modernize the criminal justice system and the penal system.

It will be recalled that the President had announced his intention to convene the People’s Special Majlis in his Presidential Address 2004. Nationwide elections for the Special Majlis will be held on 28 May 2004. Maldives Vision 2020 was declared in July 1999, and the paper on strategies to attain Vision 2020 was published in October 2002, after intensive nationwide consultations.

In other matters discussed in the Cabinet today, Ministers deliberated upon draft legislation to be submitted to the People’s Majlis by the Government.

The President briefs the Cabinet on ongoing efforts to strengthen the Government media and information communications structure

A “Strategic Communications Unit” has been established at the President’s Office to assist Government offices to strengthen information communication

Press Release reference number: 2004-292 20 May 2004

The President yesterday briefed members of the Cabinet on ongoing efforts to strengthen the Government media and information communications structure.

The President said that establishing an effective communications strategy and framework was an important measure to increase transparency, expedite flow of information and clarify policy to the members of the public.

Further, the President stated that a “Strategic Communications Unit” had been established at the President’s Office, headed by the Chief Government Spokesman. The SCU would assist Government offices in strengthening media relations and information communication. He added that the main objective of appointing a Chief Government Spokesman was to strengthen the structure for communicating news and information by the Government, and to create a mechanism to coordinate oversee the overall flow of public information.

The President noted the importance of close coordination between press officers in each Government office and the SCU, and requested Government offices to extend their cooperation to the SCU.

With the creation of the SCU, the Press Unit at the President’s Office has now been abolished.