:: Dhivehi Observer :: Peoples Press ::

Sammarey campaign leads to fight in Dhiddoo

by freemaldives2003@yahoo.com 09/02/2004

Citizens of Dhiddoo in Haa Alifu atoll are disgusted at the gross misuse of government funds and staff for Sammarey's election campaign. When irate citizens protested during the recent Eid, they were roughed up by Sammarey's goons leading to a fist fight.Fortunately no one was seriously injured.

Keeping in mind the election later this year, Sammarey decided that he will hold official Eid celebrations in Dhiddoo. Dhiddoo happens to be the capital of Haa Alifu Atoll, the atoll from which he seeks re-election. He lavished hundreds of thousands of rupees of taxpayer's money to hold an Eid bash, inviting film stars and music groups to kick start his campaign party.

Outraged citizen's pointed out that it would have helped him more had he done something to improve the living conditions of the islanders, who suffer from severe malnutrition. Haa Alifu atoll depends exclusively on fisheries. Islanders complain that despite being part of Gayyoom's family, he has not done anything open tourism in this beautiful atoll, home to some of the best islands and reefs in the country. Last year had been really bad for the atoll because the fish catch had been bad. By the time fisheries did improve a bit at the end of the year, many families had already exhausted their meagre savings and were in debt, facing starvation. It was Sammarey's insensitivity to these sufferings that lead to the disgust and the fight.

Following the fight, Sammarey's brother in law, President Gayyoom who was basking in the exclusive comfort of his ultra secret holiday palace in Hanimaadhoo, rushed to the island to calm down the situation.

"Maldives is a 100 percent Muslim country," he reminded the islanders, " we share the same language, culture, and history. Insha Allah, the Maldives has no factors that could pave the way to fuel differences or to incite civil conflicts. The Laws of the Maldives granted equal status to all Maldivian citizens. We must work in a friendly and cooperative manner to create a fulfilled society."

These words only rubbed salt into the islanders' wounds. The equality that Gayyoom is flaunting is all too obvious in front of their eyes. There they were starving, and there his brother in law was, organizing a party bash, the equals of which they have never seen in their lives. The islanders were also appalled at the ease with which Gayyoom could use religion to solve his personal problems.

Dhiddoo islanders were not alone in condemning Gayyoom for abusing religion to further his political ends. It was the proverbial last straw on the camel's back for the normally docile citizens of Hanimaadoo, when Gayyoom used the Friday sermon (on February 6) to justify the Presidential pardon he is planning to give the cold blooded sadistic murderers of Evan Naseem and others in Maafushi jail.

"We should not seek revenge from those who ill-treat us," the President told his shocked audience, "we should instead treat them with kindness." Fortunately for Gayyoom, no untoward incident occurred in Hanimaadoo. Perhaps, the people did not know that their President was simply paraphrasing the Bible, "Show the other cheek." It may also be because Hanimaadoo elders are aware of the continuing plight of the neighbouring island of Kelaa.

In 1998, Kelaa people dared to say `no' to Gayyoom in the presidential election. Ever since, the island had been single out for step fatherly treatment by Gayyoom and Hameed. In last year's referendum the islanders made a point to say yes, hoping to please Gayyoom. Apparently this did not work. Recently the elders made a desperate bid for Gayyoom's favour by sending a special delegation to him, with a special song album eulogizing him. Gayyoom likes to see his perceived opponents degraded this way. But observers say he is unlikely to forget an affront to his person.

Despite Gayyoom's best efforts the mood in the islands seems to be changing. Gayyoom himself has sensed this. In a pre-election sop to the islanders of Naifaru he had pardoned the pro-democracy activists who had fought for electronic media freedom in the island a few years back. They had been sentenced to long prison terms and a compensation of 1.9 million rufiyaa on trumped up charges of `terrorism.' In a further sop, last week he ordered his High Court to quash the 1.9 million. Naifaru people welcomed this relief for their heroes, especially since the sum is far above the wildest imaginations of the island folk to earn in their whole life time. Though of course, Gayyoom spends more than this on his palace everyday. They are also appalled at the ease at which Gayyoom can get a court sentence at the snap of his finger and then make it disappear with another snap, like a deft conjuror.