:: Dhivehi Observer :: Peoples Press ::

Thinadhoo “Enamaa boat tragedy” Fund

EDITORIAL by A.S.I.Moosa (Sappe’) Wednesday, 27^th March

Following is a Press Release from the President's Office on 25th March 2004 Reference No. 2004-187

"A Board has been established to administer the fund that was setup to help the families of the victims of the “Enamaa” boat tragedy. Members of the Board include the Atoll Chief of South Huvadhu Atoll, a senior island official of Thinadhoo, the Chairperson of the Women’s Development Committee and a member of the Island Development Committee of Thinadhoo, and representatives from among the victims’ families, the business community and the residents of the island."

The Dhivehi Translation states that the total number of members in the board is 15. It is astonishing that the full list of the board members is not published in a press release by the executive. Who is the chairman of the board? Are there any "old boys" in the board? There are reports that foreign nationals and organisations have started donating to this fund. Therefore it is paramount that the funds are managed with adequately with transparency for the sake of the bereaved families. The move to not publish the full list of the board is a worrying development. It is essential to ensure that the funds are utilised for the purpose it is set rather than it being another gold sack of the elite, such as Hon. Hameed, the Atolls Administrator. A donation has already been made by UN Office in Maldives as well as the Chinese Embassy, but how much and how can we find out about it, are relevant questions.

The suspicion is valid given the history of such other funds that were setup before in the Maldives.

Talk about taking advantage of the bereavement of the people. How ethical would it be if this fund is utilised for other purposes, such as trips to Singapore, purchase of speedboats and even properties abroad? It is a sin not to point out these mischievous acts by a regime famous for such acts.

The announcement that President Gayoom donated Mrf 500,000/- to the fund is laughable. This should be reported as being a gift from the people of Maldives to the bereaved families, not one from the President. Does he own the treasury of Maldives or is the President's Office budget a handout from the treasury to the President? What is his salary and can he afford to pay this amount from his personal funds. "I am a poor man" he told the Time Magazine reporter Alex Perry only last November. Poor man with nearly US$ 40,000 to spare! Furthermore, other potential donators like Gasim is now restrained as to how much he can donate to this fund. The limit is set by the "all-powerful" Maumoon!

Hence, the messages such as the one below published in this website's guestbook is not only misleading but pathetic attempts by Gayoom's cronies to save his tarnished image.

Why do you accuse government of failing to rescue the ill fated?; why do you accuse government of burying the deceased in a mass pit? Can't you see the generosity of our beloved leader? President has donated a half million Rufiya to Thinadhoo disaster fund today( be grateful to him). In the name of Maumoon, the most generous the most loving. Amen
Sarcastic
UK - Wednesday, March 24, 2004 at 12:58:40 (MST)

Issues like these go unnoticed in the Maldives because it is seen as unlawful to criticise the mischievous activities of this government. Imprisonment is the bounty of anyone who has tried to do that in the past. The government of Maldives, must learn to accept the hard facts of governance. This is the 21st century. There is such a thing as "Civil Society". There is such a thing as "Transparency and Accountability".

Please send your suggestions as to how this fund should be managed and how it should be utilised? The suggestions will be published below. Click to send your suggestions by Email.

Messages & Comments

To manage the fund for victims of Thinadhoo tragedy - HSBC in Maldives. that is the only financial institution I trust to have some kind of integrity and ethics, transparency, accountability. The rest is hopeless at this point in time.
Victim