End of isolation

I’ve been away from blogging for quite a while. It’s not because of lack of issues that I care about and want my voice to be heard of. I have been meaning to write this article for sometime.

My first blog post on December 2007, was about lack of access to bigger markets, and mobiltiy of labour and resources in the absence of a nation wide transport system.

On November 2008, I was delighted to hear about launching of a Nation wide transport Network by the new government. We have voiced, screamed, and have written about many things that can be done to make this nation a better place. However state bodies responsive to public sentiments are a rarity in Maldives. Hence the announcement came as a pleasant surprise and ever since than I have been meaning to write about it.

The plan if implemented can provide solutions to most acute problems (Lack of easy access to bigger markets, no easy way to mobilize labor and resources and Isolation) facing the island communities. Registered population as at 2005 shows that 32 islands have a population of less than 500, 110 islands have less than 1000, 169 islands have less than 2000 and only 27 islands have a population of more than 2000 people. In such a scenario how can one expect any investor to invest or even locals to generate a decent income by staying in the islands?

Hence a nation wide transport network could provide access to bigger markets, enable mobility of labor and resources and most importantly end the isolation of many island communities- giving population consolidation a new meaning.

However, the island communities will need tools, resources and other assistance to engage in income generating activities within the atoll or island level. One such tool is introduction of Business Incubation facilities at island, atoll, and national levels to complement the transport system that is to be implemented. The idea is to provide a platform for budding entrepreneurs and start-up firms to get established.

If you want to know more about Dhathuru or comment on it , click here.

A Nation Sold Out!

We often talk about how corrupt are the politicians and those who are in high offices. I would say all of us are bonded through the chain corruption.

1. First we sell our vote to the highest bidder, digging our own grave.
2. The members than sell his/her vote to the Ultimate Buyer for money, position, power and so on
3. The Ultimate Buyer, instead of meeting our demands, controls the members through the chain of corruption; we become helpless and our hopes for a decent life and a prosperous future gone.
4. We cry, and whine saying how corrupt is the Majlis, the government and each and everyone who are in positions of power.
5. After 21 days* we forget about everything and go about our lives and in between if some need arise, we beg the member or the Ultimate Buyer
6. the member or the Ultimate buyer fulfills the need, on the promise of selling our vote again.

It’s a vicious circle

My request

1. to Mps - to include vote buying/selling undue inducement as a criminal offence under electoral Law with sever punishments for the seller and the buyer
2. to NGOs- A campaign on “Selling your vote is selling your (or islands') future or Don’t sell your vote” is perhaps more important than Go Vote campaign.
3. To religious scholars and Adhalath Party- campaign to educate voters on bribery and punishment for that
4. Anybody (Maldives Election watch, SLP,? ) interested in doing a study on the topic. the results could be an eye opener to plan for future.

and please target the island NGOs, ‘cause normally vote buyers first buy the island NGOs, which often are the most powerful group in island politics. The next is the individual power brokers and lastly the ordinary people.

*A theory reportedly came from the house of Ultimate Buyer, which says attention span of Maldivians lasts for only 21 days and if you can sustain till than, you can get away with anything.


For those interested in reading laws on vote buying and voting offences here are some links.

Election offences- local electorate act 2001 NZ
http://216.239.59.104/search?q=cache:p1Xme6_8uHMJ:www.northshorecity.govt.nz/PDFs/Elections/Booklet/Election-offences.pdf+voting+offences&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=4&gl=mv

Electoral act 2002 aus, victoria
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/consol_act/ea2002103/s151.html

Ghana criminal code makes vote buying an offence http://business.africanpath.com/article.cfm?articleID=48279

Joke: Understanding Maldivian political system

A joke I recived from a friend. Modifed to add Maldivian flavor. Read and N-joy!

Son: "Dad, I have to do a special report for school.Can I ask you a question?"

Father:"Sure son. What is the question?"

Son: "What is Maldivian Political system?"

Father:"Well. let's take our home for example. I'm the head of the family, so let's call me Government. Your mother makes the most decisions in the house ,so let's call her Majlis. We take care of your needs, so let's call you The People.We'll call the maid The Working class and your baby brother we can call The Future. Do you understand son?

Son: "I'm not really sure,dad. I'll have to think about it."

That night awakened by his brother crying,the boy went to see what was wrong. Discovering that the baby had seriously soiled his diaper,the boy went to his parents room and found his mother sound asleep. He went to the maids's room,where,peeking through the keyhole,he saw his father in bed with the maid.The boy's knocking went totally unheeded by his father and the maid, so the boy returned to his room and went back to sleep.

The next morning he reported to his father.

Son: "Dad,now I think I understand Maldivian political system."

Father:"Good son! Can you explain it to me in your own words?"

Son: "Well dad,while Government is screwing The Working Class, Majlis is sound asleep, The People are being completely ignored and The Future is full of shit.