President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom greeting the islanders during a recent visit to Laviyanee and Baa at

No Information Minister under the MDP, sigh….


Munawar, the most media unfriendly element leading the Opposition, announced his shadow cabinet portfolios last week. The announcement was, of course, an anti-climax, with one major portfolio dropped – that of Information.


In the Maldives’ context, MDP’s shadow cabinet is understood and accepted only in the context of a kitchen cabinet. Hence, MDP’s façade to make it synonymous with the shadow cabinet in the rest of the democracies falls through for the simple reason of play-doll nature of the shadow cabinet. Their mandate? Play second fiddle to Anni’s command. Munawar who is assigned the duty of assembling his cabinet of cronies has no power over them once the job’s complete.

The shadow cabinet is simply a farce, the ultimate in misleading the international community, especially the English-speaking majority who has a blissful habit of believing that the Opposition’s grievances can be measured by their yardstick when it comes to interpretations.
Be it as it may, Munawar, nevertheless offered his justification saying that the portfolio of an information ministry is purposely left out because MDP believes in the freedom of press and does not find it necessary. He further explained that the government has an information ministry for a specific reason. Quoting the reason, Munawar pointed out that it is to “regulate” the press.The public was banking some hope in Munawar’s leadership considering his legal background as against Zaki’s. Zaki, unfortunately, never made it past Grade 5 in primary school. It appears in Zaki’s cv as: “graduated from Grade 5” and “qualified stenographer”, end of story. Pathetic to say the least, Munawar has shamed the legal community at large with his thinking along uneducated lines. Suffice to say that there is still no sign of MDP even in the budding to appear as a responsible Opposition.

So, there we have a glimpse of things to come if MDP were ever to rule. They intend to continue to lead the public into total darkness. There will be no transparency and freedom of press like we have now. Any more freedom and it will mean that reporters will be running around in the nude. MDP never wanted any reform. All they want is power, power and ultimate power without any institutional changes that would ensure democracy. Munawar’s desperate attempts to attract words of praise have failed in the process. Shall we rename it the Maldives Demented Party, instead, for easy reference?

Dark will be the days not only the nights
Stark with be the reality of stripping the people off their rights
Thus, will be the scene to come fast by
If MDP were to rule amidst people’s desperate cry
Why or Why?

Islands of Paradise: The New Video by FOM a Blast from the Past

Haulath Mohamed

Dhivehi Observer has posted a new video made by Friends of Maldives. The content of the video is very interesting. It provided a very good analysis of the events in the political history that lead the country to democratic transition in the year 2004. However the fact of the matter is, this makes the video not only out of date but irrelevant to the political debate we should be engaged in now, at the present. Since then not only three years has passed; but the political scenario has changed too. So it can be concluded that this video with its’ hundred percent focus on the past; presented in Dhivehi Observer made by Friends of Maldives is an attempt to undermine the current democratic achievements and developments that has taken place in Maldives. Furthermore this is an attempt to create confusion and chaos among Maldivians and in the international front and is a feeble attempt to mislead and mis-inform the transition and developments of the last three years. These kinds of publicity stunts simply will not work to the benefit of any one and this also indicates how DO and FOM underestimate the Maldivian level of intelligence; their mentality and level of comprehension.

To put the record straight instead of dwelling on the past, and making new videos on the past; friends of Maldives together with MDP need to divert their attention to the present so that they can contribute positively by examining the present needs of the people. First and foremost they can start by simply behaving like sensible people with political novice. The starting point for example can be recognising the recent developments in the Maldives Political system including the fact that they as a political party had come to existence and are able to perform as a legitimate political party in the Maldives

Formation of political parties is not the only accomplishment in the political front. The Maldives since 2004 has received considerable achievements in the four main areas that define democracy and human rights. Focusing on the video the components of democracy including free and fair election and civil and political liberties have been examined, observed and investigated and then interpreted positively at the end of the video. The achievements since 2004 and advances are been recognised by both internal and external agencies. So with this video with its focus on events prior to 2004 and with its minimal focus on the present, is a puzzle. Then the question that comes to mind is what the purpose of this video is. The video can only be interpreted as an escape clause, a mechanism to justify the continued undemocratic circumstances and danger that Maldives Democratic Party and Friends of Maldives is creating to the average Maldivian civil liberties since Multi Party system has been established in Maldives and MDP has been legalised. Such videos and short performances we see in U Tube are escape clauses and mechanisms that enable Hardingham, DO Sappey and MDP to harass the peaceful existence of the Maldivian and also deter the attempts and efforts of the government towards establishing democratic reforms. Furthermore these videos serve and enable them to conduct practises of illegal propaganda against the Maldivian such as their long running propaganda of Tourism Boycott

It is time that MDP and FOM stop their attempt towards creating confusion among Maldivian in regard to definition of democracy. So far they are giving lip service to democracy and defining democracy only to serve their own purpose and achieve their selfish ends. Peaceful Political Participation and healthy competition are the real defining characteristics of democracy. MDP has a poor record of fostering the promotion of peaceful political participation instead their track record is about legitimising practise of violence and encourage instances of breaking the rule of law. In contrast to practising what they preach; activities they conduct are concentrated on grassroots violence and fostering of criminal activities. The party and their supporters need to learn and understand the basics of party politics. A political party is a microcosm of the society. And parties who cannot practise democracy as a political party cannot respect democratic principles and values in society at large2

It is time for MDP and FOM to re-evaluate their ongoing discussions and U-Tube propaganda. They need to focus their discussions and interest in promoting democracy instead of using the past which we all know to promote themselves. The subject of discussion in their U-Tube videos should anticipate their policies and future directions what they will do for the Maldivian if they are given power. Dwelling in the past will not get anybody anywhere and is a waste of valuable time. MDP, FOM and DO Sappey should let people know what their intentions are towards strengthening civil society and democratic directions they will take when they come to power. As a pro democracy political group and a grass root democratic movement calling themselves Maldives Democratic Party MDP has fooled Maldivians so far with their strong focus on increasing opportunities for people to engage in violence, crime and simple negativity. Contrary to this they should realize, in the democratic philosophy well-functioning political parties offer citizens the opportunity to participate in political decision making and contribute to the political process peacefully healthily and positively3.

The accountability and competence of MDP is almost gone with this obsession over the past. Their activities since formation are about discrediting the government instead of constituting a framework of how the party will function under the heading of democracy and human rights. The deepening public mistrust will not end unless MDP replace its obsessive compulsive disorder of discrediting the government with activities and policies dedicated to fostering human rights, democracy and good governance in Maldives.

HP Pavilion DV 2114 Tu

Intel Duo Processor T2050
1.6 Intel Core Due Processor
512 MB DDR 2 Memory 533 Max 2 GB
80GB SATA Hard Disk 5400 Rpm
Super Multi DVD Writer Dual Layer
56K Modem,10/100 Network
Intel Pro/wireles 802.11b/g wireless
14.1'' WXGA High Definition Screen
Intel Graphics 128MB Shared
Altec Lancing 3D Sound Blaster
IEEE 1394 Fire Wire Interface
Bluetooth wireless
6 in 1 Card Reader
2.87KG
Microsoft windows XP Home
Built in web cam + slim remote
Price:1400$

SONY VIO VGN-N2

Intel Duo Processor T2250

Intel Pro/wireless 1.73 Intel core Duo

2GB DDR 2 Momeory 533

100GB SATA Hard DIsk 5400 Rpm

Super Multi DVD Writer Dual Layer

56K Modem,10/100 Network

Intel Pro/woreless 802.11/g wireless

15.4" WXGA High Definition Screen

Intel Graphics 128 MB Shared

Altec Lancing 3D Sound Blaster

IEEE 1394 Fire Wire Interface

Bluetooth wireless

5 in 1 card reader

Microsoft windows VISTA HOME

01 year Direct Agent warrenty

Price: 1650$

HP Compaq C563 Tu

Intel Duo Processor T2080 Intel
Pro/wireless 1.73 Core Duo Processor
512 MB DDR 2 Memory 533
60GB SATA Hard Disk 5400
Super Muilt DVD writer
56K Modem/10/100 network
Wifi 802.11 B/g WLAN
128 MB Upgradeable Shared VGA
15.4" High definition Screen
Altec Lancing Speakers
1 VGA port 2 USB 2.0; 1 RJ 11 modern connector;1 RJ 45 Ethernet
connector;headfone out
music and DVD Play buttons
Hewlett Packard Carry CAse Free
DOS version
01 year warranty

Prise:1000$

HP Pavilion DV 6383ea

Intel Duo Processor T5600
1.83 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
160GB SATA Hard DIsk 5400 Rpm
1GB DDR 2 667 MHz
Super Multi DVD writer dual layer
56K Modem.10/100 network
Intel Pro/wireless 802.11 b/g wireless
15"x1" WXGA High definition Screen
Geforce Go 7400 128 MB dedicated VGA
Altec lancing 3D sound Blaster
IEEE 1394 fire wire interface
Built in 1.3 mega pixeks web camera
Bluetooth wireless
5 in 1 card reader
microsoft windows Vista Home premium
slim remote control
01 year warranty

Prise:1900$

LITTLE TO KNOW................

Jus checking fellas don't mind don't mind
miyege varo dho
bole nada
oi fahun dhee dhen keka
ma busy vara