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A Cabinet for Party Unity - Not a Cabinet for the
betterment of the Nation

MDP Shadow Cabinet Announced

Male', 31st December (olhuala.com) - The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) shadow cabinet is seen as an attempt by a disintegrating party to maintain some semblance of unity rather than a genuine effort to improve the nation and the lives of Maldivians. The MDP has seen in fighting and factionalism and its break-up is expected within weeks by a number of observers within the party.

The MDP announced the party’s first ever'shadow' cabinet on the 29th of December. This announcement came ten days after Ibrahim Ismail (MP, also known as Ibra) was elected party leader.

The MDP shadow cabinet stands as follows:

Ibrahim Ismail: President
Ibrahim Hussein Zaki: Vice President
Dr Waheed: portfolio undisclosed
Dr. Munavvar: portfolio undisclosed
Mohamed Shihab: portfolio undisclosed
Mohamed Ibrahim Didi: portfolio undisclosed
Hassan Afeef: portfolio undisclosed
Shareef (Mavota): portfolio undisclosed
Mariya Ahmed Didi: portfolio undisclosed
Aminath Jameel: portfolio undisclosed
Moosa Maniku (Reeko): portfolio undisclosed
Dr Hussein Rasheed: portfolio undisclosed

It is rather unorthodox for a political party to announce a list of names, as a shadow cabinet when the party leader has not decided on how the portfolios are to be assigned. An efficient and well competent cabinet requires, first and foremost, qualified, experienced and competent members for
specific portfolios. A group of people assembled due to the political power they wield with no consideration of their competence for a particular job looks like a recipe for disaster.

After the party's congress, a number of factions have reportedly threatened to walk away from the MDP. Among these are Afeef who leads the contingent from the southern atolls and Waheed who is thought to control a handful of educated junior members as well as some members who are family relations. Waheed has recently made disparaging remarks about Ismail and Afeef had handed in his resignation letter at one stage.

Even more bizarre is the token attempt at gender equality by including two females whose only claim to a shadow cabinet position is only that: being female. It must be remembered that the MDP as a party has less than 10% female members.

“Usually, capable members are selected for portfolios such as defense, treasury and so on rather than selecting a list of members and letting them haggle for the portfolio of their choice, I think Ibra has messed up his first official task” remarked Ali Faiz a disgruntled MDP backbencher (member of the special Majilis for Baa atoll).

“I’ve heard rumours that, Ibra and Zaki [MDP vice president] had a serious row about the portfolios [hence] Ibra decided to let the selected members decide which portfolio suited them most, I think its an indication of who is running the show” added Faiz.

While the decision to postpone the announcement of the portfolios assigned to the members of the shadow cabinet, is the major concern of the MDP’s parliament members, its grassroots members are disgusted with some choices made by Mr Ismail.

Moosa Maniku (MP, also known as Reeko) was the most controversial choice. Mr Maniku does not have any formal education above the second grade, and was not involved in politics until he stood for the Laamu atoll seat. “He was elected solely due to his familiarity as thousands of people saw him on TV everyday” says Ali Saeed of Laamu atoll Mundoo. Mr Maniku used to be a soap opera actor before becoming involved in politics.

Meetings and negotiations between Dr Waheed and senior Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) officials have been reported by leading news agencies. Dr Waheed himself was quoted as saying “it is too early to decide on my future, I sincerely wish Mr Ismail well although I don’t think he has the charisma or the intellect to lead this party” after Mr Ismail won the MDP leadership.

Certain analysts are unsure whether Mariya Ahmed Didi was a good choice for a shadow cabinet post that would require time and dedication. Didi would not be able to give the party the time it requires as she is nursing her husband, who is a recovering narcotics addict. It is believed that Didi is demanding the Justice minister’s portfolio.

Most DRP analysts were quick to critisise the opposition’s shadow cabinet. “We feel that Ibra has ridiculed the educated and capable members within his party by scavenging on the DRP’s garbage dump” added one analyst referring to the inclusion of Dr Munawwar who was fired from Gayyoom’s cabinet on the 12th of November 2003 due to his incompetence as Attorney General. Munawwar's preferred choice is the defense portfolio. Ibrahim Zaki, who was also fired on that same day amidst a barrage of allegations including allegations of sexual harassment of a female employee (the case was later settled out of court), was elected as the MDP vice president.

It will be interesting to see how the first meeting of the MDP’s shadow cabinet is conducted, while its own members do not know the pecking order within it. Too many cooks spoil the broth.
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Annie Feels the Heat

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Chairman Mohamed Nasheed (Annie) has launched a vicious and typically baseless attack on Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom as he struggles to keep himself from slipping away into obscurity.

Annie called Gayyoom "an old relic who could hardly walk" in an interview published on minivannews.com, an MDP-run clandestine website (through its international wing leader David Hardingham). The reality is that in the politics of the New Maldives, and specifically in Gayyoom's government, the scene is dominated by figures younger, brighter and more vibrant than Nasheed.

At the forefront are Foreign Minister Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, Attorney General Dr. Hassan Saeed as well as the Ministers for Justice and Information among others. Other key portfolios (such as Finance and Treasury: Mr. Gasim Ibrahim, Atolls: Mr. Waheed Deen) are held by self-made, respected and hugely successful businessmen and widely respected figures. With the experienced and far-sighted statesman Gayyoom as the guidance, the current executive is ideally suited to take the Maldives into a brilliant future.

Nasheed is increasingly seen as a narrow minded, 'single-concept' figure. He has continuously and unsuccessfully tried to topple the constitutionally elected government for 18 years. No amount of distortion or rhetoric can make 18 years of failure appear more attractive than 27 years and more of success.

Nasheed was involved in planning the 1988 terrorist attack on the Maldives, which resulted in the deaths of 19 innocent Maldivians. Nasheed's uncle, Sikka Ahmed Ismail Maniku, was subsequently found guilty on 19 counts of murder for his lead in funding, planning and the execution of the gruesome attack.

Despite Annie's work, the Maldivian people have, at regular five-year intervals, delivered a slap in his face at each presidential election. Over 90% of the electorate still find Gayyoom to be the most qualified and ideal man to lead this nation.

Annie has also begun to be overshadowed even within his own party. Achievers like Mohamed Waheed and Ibrahim Zaki are seen to be the future by party members and they are providing the main impetus in its activities. Nasheed's views are eschewed and he feels isolated. While he tries to make an issue of Gayyoom's health, his party overwhelmingly reaffirmed that the mobility of the party leader is NOT an issue.

According to an attendee at MDP's recent congress: "It would be wise for Annie to realise that it is not politically correct to raise physical incapacity or disability as issues in this day and age. [MDP Leader Mr. Ibrahim Ismail] Ibra is unfortunately a victim of childhood polio, that has left him both physically and psychologically debilitated. My concern is that intellectually as well, Ibra is a nobody compared with Gayyoom."

"Sadly, with Annie's newest statements it is not Gayyoom, but Annie himself who looks like a relic, a dinosaur from the past. “Has he been in a cave all this time? Doesn't he know you can't discriminate based on physical ability, or sex or age" added the disgruntled MDP member, who wished to remain anonymous,

"Perhaps it's his intellectual inadequacy showing through. He only has a second class degree in Maritime Studies; I can't think of how that may help us Maldivians in any way other than maybe by working in a boatyard" said, Ibrahim Thakkhaan, a boat builder from Velidhu island.

Mr. Nasheed is looking back upon several failed business ventures and charges of fraud and deception in addition to his rather pitiable 'political' career. He is searching for a political esteem he never had by trying to discredit successful people with petty name-calling.

He is fast ending up looking like a comical little insignificant character in the eyes of Maldivians. There was a time when he could get someone's attention; now he is no more than a fringe figure in the government's eyes and a petty annoyance for the MDP.

Nasheed's future is bleak - and he seems to know there is no changing that.

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Sound Off

- letter from a reader -

Re: UK advocacy group urges boycott of Maldives resorts

Mr. Nelson Alcantara
Editor-in-Chief
Eturbonews.com

Dear Mr. Alcantara

Having read your above-mentioned story, I thought I would bring to attention some inaccuracies that are there in the list of resorts in the article. Perhaps you may wish to let the writer Mr. David Browne and the so-called Friends of Maldives (or should I say Friends of A Small Part of Maldives?) know about that.

There are some names in the list of resorts that are in fact NOT resorts at all; they are desert islands at the moment. No tourists would go there anyway.
Some resorts belonging to certain parties are in the list while other resorts belonging to the same parties are not.

I believe the source that is feeding information to the so-called FOM does not know what it is talking about or just does not bother to find accurate information when publishing stories. This in turn makes me not trust in stories you may publish in the future not that it may bother you.

I happen to be a director of a company that owns and operates some of the resorts that are there in this list. And I can tell you this. My company had never been and will never be aligned towards either the so-called Regime or the Opposition.

The message I hope to get across to Mr. David Hardingham is that even if my resorts go belly up because of his call for boycott he would not have achieved his objective of “affecting the regime directly” simply because my resorts are not “directly (or indirectly for that matter) linked to the regime”. I would not have any influence nor a link even to tell the regime to please do what ever Mr. David Hardingham is asking for if European tourists stopped visiting my resorts as a result of his call.

Thanking you.
With regards

A reader from the Maldives

Click to read full aticle

Letter to David Browne of eTurbonews

Dear Mr David Browne,

I am glad that a news agency such as eTurbonews has taken such a keen interest on the Maldives. I would also like thank you on behalf of the Maldivian people for the kind words you published, and I am sure that your article under the heading ‘UK advocacy group urges boycott of Maldives resorts’ was indeed written with good intentions, and with the best interests of the Maldivian people at heart.

As olhuala.com is one of the leading political reporters on Maldivian current affairs, I would like to make some observations and comment on a few inaccuracies in your published article if I may. I would also like to state that, these comments are meant in the utmost sincerity to clarify the issues to you in some detail.

First of all I would like to inform you that there is no registered UK based aid and campaign group under the name ‘Friends of Maldives’. There is in fact a charity registered under that name, run by one Ms Toni de la Roque. This charity has no connection to the organisation (run by David Hardingham) that you have mentioned in your article. Hardingham is in violation of UK laws, by using a registered name, unlawfully.

In your article you state that the Friends of Maldives (FoM) was calling on tourists to boycott 24 island resorts.

I would like to point out that, in their brochure, the FoM calls for the boycott of 28 resorts, namely Bandos Island Resort, Cocoa Island, Tulaagiri Island, Dhonveli Beach resort, Hakuraa Club, Alidhoo, Dhonakulhi, Paradise Island resort, Olhuveli Beach resort, Lily Beach Island Resort, Vilu Reef Beach resort, Kandooma resort, Sun Island resort, Fun Island resort, Holiday Island resort, Royal Island resort, Vakarufalhi Island resort, Dhonimigili resort, Biyadhoo island resort, Kalhufahalafushi resort, Maavelaavaru resort Funamadua resort, Coco Palm resort, Makunudu Island resort, Meeru Island resort, Rangali Hilton, Veligandu Island Resort and Kurumba Village (please see olhuala.com archives for information on the brochure).

You also seem to imply, that this campaign will not affect the general public, when in reality this ‘boycott list’ of resort islands constitutes nearly 38% of the total number of tourist beds in the Maldives and employs a considerable fraction of the entire labour force of the country (boycott total: 6331, total beds: 16,858 information from the Maldives Tourism Ministry official website).

Further, if for arguments sake we assume that the President Gayyoom is a brutal dictator, do you think this attack on the country’s economy would affect Gayyoom’s power base? (Surely the lengthy economic sanctions against Iraq did not affect Saddam Hussain, but the consequences were suffered by the Iraqi people).

All the tourist resorts pay bed taxes and annual royalties to the government. The government has other sources of income. Hence do you see any reason for boycotting a selected number of resorts, other than the elimination of rival resorts by discrediting their integrity through false accusations?

Do you think an organisation promoting human rights should call on the world to starve a country in order to save it?

You have also mentioned that this list of islands was devised by Maldivians.

This information is correct. It was devised by resort owning members of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) who run the FoM (an entity of the MDP’s international wing). This campaign is in fact an effort to eliminate their business competitors while discrediting the government with false allegations.

It is known that members of the MDP devised this list, for their political benefit, while increasing profit margins at the same time through elimination of their competitors.

Did you know that the FoM is operated by the above-mentioned David Hardingham, who is the leader of MDP’s international wing? Did you know that, the FoM is a political organisation rather than human rights ambassadors? Are you aware that Hardingham has never been to the Maldives while he speaks about it so ‘passionately’ as if he practically grew up there? Are you aware that Hardigham has no first hand knowledge of the Maldives or its people?

Did you also know that, the MDP’s chief financier, Mr Ahmed Ismail Maniku (also known as Sikka) is also Hardingham’s financial backer?

Did you also know that the FoM failed to list the resorts owned by Sikka on their boycott list, while Sikka was convicted on 19 counts of murder and sentenced to death in 1989?

Is it ethical to visit resort islands owned by convicted mass murderers?

Are you also aware that Hardingham receives funds from Account Number: 011-066186 101 HSBC Bank, Colombo – 3, Sri Lanka, the US Dollar account of Ahmed Ismail Maniku (Sikka)?

Hardingham recently stated that he was not an MDP activist. He went on to deny any association between his FoM, Maldives Aid, Minivan Radio Limited and the MDP.

While Hardingham is adamant on lying so blatantly, are you aware that, the constitution of the FoM was drafted by the UK law firm, Clyde & Co (51 Eastcheap, London EC3M 1JP, UK) and that, none other than Ahmed Moosa, the MDP’s junior spokesperson based in Scotland, acted on behalf of the FoM in dealing with Clyde & Co?

Are you also aware, that Clyde & Co also prepared several documents for the MDP, and that Clyde & Co in fact used the same matter number (0401704) for all documents prepared for both the FoM and the MDP, and that the law firm treated both the FoM and the MDP as the same client? Please feel free to contact Rizwan Kanji at Clyde & Co who handled the FoM constitution.

Are you also aware that Ahmed Naseer, of the MDP’s governing council was appointed as company secretary of Hardingham’s UK based Minivan Radio Limited (registration number 05219579) on the 15th of September 2004? Are you also aware that Minivan Radio Limited operates the clandestine ‘news’ website minivannews.com and the Internet radio station minivan radio? Are you also aware that these are in fact propaganda machines for the Maldivian Democratic Party?

You mention in your article that President Gayyoom has ruled for 28 years. He has been President of the Maldives, since November 1978. You also mention that the FoM accuses Gayyoom of human rights violations. This is in fact true. The FoM has accused Gayyoom of committing such crimes several times.

Have you asked Hardingham to back up his accusations with some evidence? Have you ever seen a list of activists who are unaccounted for? Have you ever heard of disappearances of political rivals in the Maldives? Has any political rival of Gayyoom ever been executed or assassinated? Has anyone been executed under the Presidency of Gayyoom although capital punishment exists in Maldivian Law? Are you aware that Gayyoom has saved all who have been sentenced to death from the hangman (including Sikka), during his presidency, through special Presidential pardons and that no one has been executed in the Maldives during Gayyoom’s presidency?

Are you aware that the main crime the FoM accuses Gayyoom of committing is in fact a case of police brutality in a state prison? Hassan Evan Naseem, a boy of 19 years (in prison for narcotics offences) was beaten to death by some bloodthirsty prison wardens. These wardens later shot and killed a number of other inmates (Surely the President cannot be held personally responsible for this. Is Mr Blair, the Prime Minister of England responsible for the police killing of the Brazilian national on the 8th of August 2005?).

Are you also aware that the guards who committed these horrific crimes were in fact charged, tried and sentenced to death by Maldivian courts?

Are you aware that President Gayyoom is widely loved by his people and was elected for a sixth consecutive term in office, in 2003 by an overwhelming majority of over 90 % of the vote?

Are you aware that Mr Gayyoom is also a dignified statesman respected by the international community? This was portrayed in the recent CHOGM held in Malta. Queen Elizabeth II of England, the head of the Commonwealth honoured Mr Gayyoom several times, as widely covered by the media (see also olhuala.com archives).

Mr Gayyoom further received a warm reception from the Islamic states, at the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) meeting held in Jeddah last November.

Would such organisations as Her Majesty’s Commonwealth and the OIC, have endorsed Gayyoom so publicly if he was a dictator or if his government was committing gross human rights’ violations?

Are you aware that, it is widely accepted that, Mr Gayyoom is considered as a leading statesman and an ambassador for human rights and democratic reforms by the West and the Islamic communities?

You also mentioned the cases of Mohamed Nasheed and Jennifer Latheef, in your article.

Are you aware that Mohamed Nasheed the self proclaimed ‘democracy activist’, is the nephew of the above mentioned Sikka and was also involved in the planning of the terrorist attack that killed 19 innocent people in 1988 on the streets of Male’? Are you also aware that Nasheed’s family has always been terrorists, seeking political power through violent means? Are you aware that Nasheed’s father Mr Abdul Sattar, in 1974 attempted to assassinate the then President of the Maldives Mr Ibrahim Naasir, and that Nasheed is merely following his father’s example and final wish to claim the Maldivian Presidency by any means possible?

Are you also aware that, Jennifer Latheef, lead a wave of arson attacks on the streets of Male’ in September 2003? Are you aware that she mutilated the face of a policeman with a brick?

Do you think, these are actions of pro-democracy activists?

In regard to the comments published by Sir Ivan Lawrence, have you read the open letter of clarification sent by Dr Hassan Saeed, the Attorney General of the Maldives? (Please see olhuala.com if you have not)

You mentioned the introduction of political parties and commented on the status of political reforms in the Maldives.

Are you aware that President Gayyoom proposed to introduce political parties in 1998? Are you also aware that, the MDP leadership candidate, Dr Munawwar (the then Attorney General) stated in his official legal opinion that, the constitution of the Maldives did not allow political parties to exist. Are you also aware that the current AG, Dr Saeed, did not agree with this opinion, and henceforth, political parties have been introduced in the Maldives, on President Gayyoom’s initiative?

Are you aware that since Gayyoom started his reform agenda, several positive changes have indeed been made, including the introduction of a multi-party system, and the establishment of an independent human rights commission, wider separation of powers and a Judicial Services Commission independent from the executive, to name a few.

Are you also aware that, the main hindrance to the reform process has been the slowness of the work of the Special Majilis (Constitutional Assembly) in amending the constitution? Are you also aware that the main delayers in this Special Majilis are (FoM affiliated) MDP members? Are you aware that they have adopted since, mid 2004, a policy of boycotting, key Majilis sessions, if they feel that they would be defeated by a vote.

I hope that you would take these points with an open mind, and accept that I mean no disrespect at all by pointing you in the right direction.

I would also like to inform you that the information I have provided here is accurate, and that you will find all the information if you wished to clarify the finer details. I would be glad to assist you if that is your wish.

On behalf of the Maldivian people, I urge you to analyse the facts in more detail, before publishing a potentially harmful and inaccurate piece.

Thank you.

Most sincerely,
The Editor- www.olhuala.com

Click to read full article

Related Articles:

FOM calls for tourism boycott again

FOM Brochure

Agreement with Tourism Concern

Maldives United As A Nation In Condemning FOM/Maldives Aid

Drafted FOM constitution

Hardingham lies again

Letter to Mr.Hardingham

Male' Shows Huge Swing towards DRP

The ruling Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) gained over 2,000 (up 80%) votes from its showing a year ago compared with a mere 300 (up 4%) vote increase for the opposition MDP. In the by-election for the Special Majlis (constitutional assembly) last Saturday, the margin of victory for the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) was still considerable: 7,100 votes to 4,700.

The MDP was celebrating its success on Sunday while the DRP were reported to have held crisis meetings among grass roots activists and mid-level leadership. Others were said to be preparing for the commemoration of the Maldives' first 'Unity Day' one year to the day from the Indian Ocean tsunami.

One analyst from the DRP told olhuala.com: the margin of victory for the MDP is large and we are rightly concerned about whether we may be losing touch with the Male' electorate."

Male' has an eligible voting population of about 31,000 of which less than 14,000 exercised their right to vote on Saturday, a turnout of 43%

"Closer analysis reveals a totally different picture. First, low voter turnout or voter apathy is generally an indication of satisfaction with the status quo, and of government policies."

"Second, if we look back just eleven months, we see a totally different picture: Ibrahim Ismail (MDP leader, aka Ibra) gained 6,800 votes in the parliamentary elections while DRP's candidate managed just 2,500 votes. MDP's gains are statistically insignificant. DRP's gains though are tremendous. We feel that the tide is turning in this traditionally anti-government urban centre (Male')."

Many believe that the MDP has turned off a lot of people with their militant style. Further, revelations about their underhand dealings and links to shady foreign organisations and their anti-islam stance have given rise to the population's distaste.

"MDP made headway with messages new to Maldivians. But now their novelty value has worn off, their honeymoon period is over. They promised their supporters they would bring the government down in a month, then two then six, and they have never even looked like succeeding. There are growing calls for the MDP to change, to renounce their violent traditions. These have not been forthcoming" said the DRP analyst.

If the current trends continue, Male', the MDP's biggest stronghold, will become a DRP majority constituency as soon as October 2006. Many believe this to be, because of the renewed urgency of the reform process and the benefits the common people have started to gain from it.

"The MDP, if they want a political future in Male', must now be searching for reasons why they could not muster more voters. Everyone in Male' knows that all eligible MDP voters actually voted on Saturday while nowhere near 100% of DRP voters cast their vote. Look for all of them to turn up in a Presidential election", concluded the analyst.

Click to read full article

DRP and MDP retain seats in the Special Majlis

It is ‘as you were’ in the Special Majlis (constitutional assembly) after the Commissioner of Elections announced the final results for the three seats up for grabs in Saturday's by-elections.

MDP retained both Male' (Nasheed) and Addu (Suood), traditional strongholds, while the DRP retained Shaviyani (Rameez). The composition of the assembly therefore remains unaffected, as will the political dynamics of the group. The DRP still controls the majority of both the Parliament and the constitutional assembly.

President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom convened the current Special Majlis in 2004 to amend the 1998 Constitution. It is driven by the Reform Agenda of 9 June 2004 set out by Gayoom.

Click to read full article

Tourism Boycott is Planned by the MDP not the FOM

Ibrahim Ismail (MP Male’, aka Ibra) the recently elected, leader of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has threatened the government with a tourism boycott campaign, if the government does not comply with the MDP’s demands.

Ismail made his threatening remarks while talking to Reuters last Thursday (22nd December). He went on to say that, he would consider tourism boycott and a major civil disobedience campaign if Gayyoom ‘continues to delay promised political reforms’.

Several residents of Male’, the capital of the Maldives, were disgusted with these remarks, as Gayyoom has been implementing his reform agenda of 9th June at ‘breakneck speed’ as described by Dr Abdul Waahid Abdul Jabbar, the Pakistani political analyst who is currently in Male’ on holiday.

Since Gayyoom started his reform agenda, several positive changes have been made, including the introduction of a multi-party system, and the establishment of an independent human rights commission, wider separation of powers and a Judicial Services Commission independent from the executive, to name a few.

The main hindrance to the process has been the slowness of the work of the Special Majilis (Constitutional Assembly) in amending the constitution. Amending a nation’s constitution is not an easy task. Several viewpoints have to be carefully analysed. But the main delayers in this Special Majilis are Ismail’s MDP members. They have adopted since, mid 2004, a policy of boycotting, key Majilis sessions, if they feel that they would be defeated by a vote.

Ismail was jailed for two months after the ‘black Friday’ incident, which unfolded in the “Jumhooree Maidhaan” on the 12th/13th August 2004. A group of MDP activists (including Ismail and Ibrahim Zaki - MDP Vice President) gathered in the Jumhooree Maidhaan, in front of the National Security Service (NSS) headquarters and tried to force their
way in to the NSS HQ. Several NSS and police officers were stabbed by this mob and were seriously injured. Arson attacks were carried out on buildings in the vicinity and many public facilities were vandalised. Ismail was arrested for his part in these activities. The Government in an act of solidarity later dropped the charges after the Boxing Day Tsunami devastated the entire nation.

The current ‘tourism boycott campaign’ launched by a group calling themselves, the Friends of Maldives (FoM), founded and headed by David Hardingham of Wiltshire, UK. Hardingham’s organisation is not registered and the use of the name “Friends of Maldives” by this group is in contravention with the laws of England and Wales, as the name “Friends of Maldives” is registered as a charity run by Ms Toni de la Roque.

Hardingham, is in fact the leader of the MDP’s international wing based in Europe. He runs a number of clandestine, websites and radio stations including minivannews.com, dhivehiobserver.com and Minivan Radio Limited to name a few. Hardingham is being financed by Ahmed Ismail Maniku (aka Sikka sentenced to death, for his part in murdering 19 Maldivians in November 1988, Sikka was later granted a special presidential pardon by Gayyoom).

Hardingham has refused to comment on this matter. Olhuala.com has contacted him several times over the last few weeks, but he refused to elaborate on how he was able to finance purchasing two properties at a total of £273,000 since he began work for the MDP. He has also refused to explain the unusually large sums of money received from Account Number: 011-066186-101, HSBC Bank, Colombo – 3, Sri-Lanka. The US dollar account of Ahmed Ismail Maniku (Sikka).

The MDP has already attempted to carry out a major civil disobedience campaign. The MDP’s calls fell on deaf ears. No one, including their own members took any notice of the MDP’s calls to boycott government schools (over 90% schools are state owned and provide free education) and to boycott goods imported by the State Trading Organisation.

It is widely believed that, strong words used by MDP leader Ismail, is just a way of adding to the web of disinformation spread by the MDP through its various tentacles such as Hardingham, in an effort to discredit the long serving Maldivian President.

In actual fact, President Gayyoom is widely loved by his people and was elected for a sixth consecutive term in office, in 2003 by an overwhelming majority of over 90 % of the vote. Mr Gayyoom is also a dignified statesman respected by the international community. This was portrayed in the recent CHOGM held in Malta. Queen Elizabeth II of England, the head of the Commonwealth honoured Mr Gayyoom several times, as widely covered by the world media (see also olhuala.com articles). Mr Gayyoom further received a warm reception from the Islamic states, at the OIC meeting held in Jeddah last November.

Hence it is widely accepted that, the West and the Islamic communities consider Mr Gayyoom as a leading statesman and an ambassador for human rights and democratic reforms.

Click to read full article

By-election Preliminary Results

MDP’s Suoodh has won the Addu seat with ease, with a margin of over 2000 votes. This is a great victory for the MDP. Hats off to them.

Dr.Majeed: 1302 votes

Usay : 4587 votes Kaanal : 7000 votes

by election on pictures

mdp big fish arrived with an escort of parteys...

another mdp big fish arriving with an escort of parteys...

motorbikes and scarves with mdp flags draped=illegal campaigning within 300ft zone...

Anwar site....

By-election update

( 7:30 pm Maldives time )

Male’: All voting ended at 7 pm local time, thankfully without any violence. Ballot boxes being transported to counting centre, results expected around 1 am (local time) on the 25th of December. Too early to predict any results. Will come to a contest between Usay and Kaanal.

MDP members loitered around the polling stations for long periods of time. And continued illegal campaigning with printed MDP banners within 300ft of numersous voting stations, as shown in the picture.

Pictures also show that, MDP leader, Ibrahim Ismail, and Vice President Ibrahim Zaki travels with ‘thug body guard’ drug addict Saljam Ziyad.

Addu: All voting ended at 7 pm local time, thankfully without any violence. All ballot boxes closed, will arrive in Male’ first thing tomorrow morning (25th December) for counting. Analysts predict landslide victory for Suoodh, the MDP endorsed candidate.

Shayani: All voting ended at 7 pm local time, thankfully without any violence. All ballot boxes closed, will arrive in Male’ tomorrow afternoon for counting. An easy win for the DRP’s Rameez, is predicted at present.

( 5:05 pm Maldives time )

Male’: The last hour has seen a large flourish of voters coming out to cast their ballets. It is believed that people were waiting for the cooler breeze of the late afternoon. Thankfully there have been no violent incidents all day.

Kaanal Nasheed still seen on the streets campaining.

Clarification: The MDP activist “Sangey” mentioned earlier, is actually an elections commission representative at station number 27. Hence, he is breaching of a number of laws and regulations, by urging voters to vote for Kaanal.

It is still too early to predict the outcome of the election, it looks like it is going to be a fight between Usay and Kaanal.

Addu/Shaviyani stations in Male’: More people arriving at these polling stations.

Addu: As with Male’, more people are coming out, as the cooler breeze sets in. It is believed that the best turnout was seen in S. Feydhoo.

It is still too early to predict the outcome of the election.

Shaviyani: Steady numbers of voters seen all day, no matter how hot and humid the conditions were. Although some ‘news’ websites such as minivannews.com ‘reported’ that there were a few incidents, residents from all islands in the atoll report to the contrary. ‘The situation remained, normal and peaceful through out the day’ said Ignaz Labeeb, of Shaviyani Feevah. ‘It’s a shame that we never heard of the money that the DRP candidate [allegedly] distributed. No one on this island is aware of that, if anything of this sort happened, we would have known’ added Labeeb.

Analysts predict an easy win for Rameez, the DRP candidate.

( 3:45 pm Maldives time )

Male’: MDP activists near voting station 27, are in violation of voting procedure. Eyewitnesses report that an MDP activist known as “Sangey” is stationed near vote box number 27.

As people arrive at the voting station, Sangey approaches them with a Map of Male’ and acts as if explaining, something, when in actual fact, he is urging them to vote for the MDP endorsed candidate Kaanal

(2:30 pm Maldives time )

The Commissioner of Elections, Mr KD Ahmed Maniku said in an interview with Television Maldives, that the voting process was running relatively smoothly in Male’, Shaviyani and Seenu Atoll.

Mr Maniku also said that, his office has so far not received any written complaints, hence it is safe to say at this stage that everything is under control, and that neither party is accusing the other of any foul play at this stage.

Sources within, minivannews.com inform olhuala.com of the intention of minivannews owner and leader of the MDP international wing David Hardighman to call foul play on his ‘news’ website if either of the MDP candidates fail to win.

‘Jude [Liang] and Paul [Roberts] have prepared articles in advance. One for each scenario. If the MDP candidates win, they intend to publish an article stating that the elections were free and fair. If any of them lose, they intend to come up with something to accuse the DRP or the party that wins of foul play’ said one of our sources, who wished to remain anonymous.

Hence it is not surprising that they have already begun to post such articles (see minivannews.com) about ‘incidents’ in Shaviyani atoll. The seat that the MDP believe they have no chance of winning. It is surprising that, Roberts or Liang have not bothered to report that their candidate, kaanal Nasheed is still on the streets of Male’ campaigning. Which is a violation of the election procedure, rules.

(2:00 pm Maldives time)

Friday night saw a mob led by MDP Vice President Ibrahim Zaki congregate at the polling station. They continued to harass the Elections Commission volunteers at the site by shouting abuse.

At this stage the results are too close to call although things appear to be running smoothly. None of the feared violence has materialised yet.

Addu Atoll (Seenu)

Voting progressing without incident at all polling stations. Voter turnouts reported to be moderate to high in Feydhoo. Turnout is moderate in all other locations.

Male'

Slight disturbances at Villingili ferry terminal at the ‘new harbour’ where gangs of youth's are at the jetty shouting "Don't vote for Usay (Yoosuf Rafeeu) if you want to live on this island!”.

Reports are coming in that, there is a gang of MDP thugs intimidating DRP and Adhalath supporters near Thaajuddeen School. One of the MDP's drug addicts/dealers Maakun Falaahu, is leading this gang. “Although fighting has not yet broken out, the situation is spiraling out of control” said our reporter stationed at Taajuddeen.

Incidents of violations of campaign regulations by MDP's Kaanal Nasheed have been reported. He was seen campaigning house to house in Maafannu. Maafannu ward is seen as a DRP stronghold, hence MDP's last-ditch efforts.

Although, early morning reports indicated otherwise, voter turnout is low so far: an indication that DRP has not been able to mobilise their support base in Male'. Hence it is believed that Kaanal, may have taken the lead, for the Male’ seat.

However, MDP vote may be split because they have one (unendorsed) candidate - Winter Shareef – contesting the seat in addition to Nasheed.

Shaviyani Atoll

Expected to be the most clear-cut of results with DRP's Moosa Rameez winning by a considerable margin - although olhuala.com has seen evidence that this seat may not be so easy to win for the DRP.

Little by little you will realise Gayoom's greatness

So now the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has got to run its own play-government, their own conference has ended in farcical circumstances. Minority groups harrumphed and walked out, mud was slung in buckets and backs were stabbed in earnest. And all this for make-believe posts with no legal recognition.

It is a ridiculous little toy show. The chief guest, Mr. James Mancham, was a changed man from two days ago. In his speech on the final afternoon, his words were patronising and his elocution had an inner mischief, his eyes mocking with a twinkle and a smile. One wonders what must have been running through his mind.

These people cannot run a fourth grade-style mini government. They certainly made a hash of coordinating things in a civilised manner among 300 odd people - all of the same political mould and for only three days. How would they fare if they had the responsibility for 300,000 lives for five years? Perish the thought.

Let us take a simple example. The candidates from Addu Atoll - who contested and lost all major positions in the party.

There are devices such as affirmative action, positive discrimination and group quotas, that can ensure minority representation in a society. Not even one Addu candidate will be elected in such an overwhelmingly Male'-dominated conference without recourse to some of these methods.

This is where the MDP has to learn. Minority rights are usually guaranteed by legislature and legal instruments enforcing the above methods. These take time to develop and the need for it must be felt before they are enacted. But there are no such laws in the Maldives - possibly because we are a young country and because no one has suggested there is a need for them - although there plainly is.

In this case, one would expect the Addu people to have become extinct by now - given the discrimination they obviously suffer from other Maldivians. But they haven't - because we have a wise and far-sighted leader in Gayyoom. He has practiced a policy of positive discrimination to ensure an egalitarian society - even without legislation forcing him to do so and even when legislators have wiled away the years, thinking nothing needed to be done.

When the MDP fatcats walk out of the congress hall patting themselves on the back, they must be starting to realise what a position of responsibility holds. What must it take to prevent Addu Atoll from demanding secession? What must it take to keep Ilyas and Yameen gouging chunks of flesh from each other's backs? What must it take to keep this country from civil war? What must it take to keep a third world country with no natural resources and the world's highest costs of transport from starvation? What must it take to make a country with the world's highest costs of production earn the region's highest GDP and graduate from LDC status? What does it take to moderate bikini flashing prostitutes and pseudo-Islamic fanatics under one nation?

What does it take to suffer a nation of 300,000 political experts and not laugh out loud at them?

Political nous, a good heart and more than a touch of greatness. History will tell.

Click to read full article

MDP: Justice, Human Rights & Equality for All - Except
if you happen to be from Addu

Addu Atoll is home to some of the most industrious, thriving and most intelligent Maldivians. Yet, they have been marginalised, alienated and excluded from all top Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) positions. Some Adduans such as Mohamed Munavvar apparently played along with the facade that was the leadership "elections". Or they were simply deceived - as claimed by most MDP Adduans who walked out from the congress Wednesday morning.

To most onlookers, especially those within the rank and file membership of the MDP, this came as a shock - this is the party making a hoo-hah about how Adduans have been 'disenfranchised'; how they have supposedly been excluded from top government positions.

The most senior figure, Munavvar (incidentally a former Attorney General under Gayoom), came in third behind Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra) and Mohamed Waheed, both from Male'.

The vice-presidency was claimed by Ibrahim Zaki, another Male' beyfulhu (upper class) candidate.

One Adduan walking out on the congress stated: "This is not one of those 'make believe' walk outs we stage in the Majlis (Parliament). This time we walked out never to come back. We do not want anything to do with the MDP until things change within it. There are figures behind the scenes making some decisions about how ballots are run and counted. These have had a huge bearing on the election results."

"We do not believe the majority of the MDP despise our candidates just because we were born in Addu. Even Gayoom has appointed people like [current Attorney General Dr.] Hassan Saeed even if it is for show. Can't [the MDP] manage even that much?"

Where do the Addu people go from here? Having been led a merry dance by the MDP chiefs; these people are again forced to start again. Some believe contact has already been initiated with Waheed, another high profile MDP reject with bleak career prospects, about forming a new political party.

However under current laws, and as in laws prevalent in all mature democracies, a national political party cannot be formed with a geographical area as its binding criterion.

Our interviewee was unaware of this detail. "That further complicates our situation. Not even the MPs among us mentioned that fact. Where do we go from here? The MDP has vilified a lot of groups: women and even the politically moderate for example. Maybe there is a possibility for us to work in partnership."

Politics indeed is a treacherous business as some people are finding to their painful cost.

"The DRP? That will take some selling for most of us. But now I do not rule anything out!"

Clickto read full article

MDP gangs ambush Hajj pilgrims

MDP congress attendees ambushed hajj pilgrims and there families tonight as they waited for news on their delayed flight. Pilgrims with the Athama Group were standing outside the Athama Offices when MDP members, in a raucous and belligerent mood at the end of their meeting, arrived at the area shouting slogans and creating a scene.

A 71 year old man from Lh. Hinnavaru told olhuala when asked about the incident: "I and about 20 co-travellers and family members were waiting from around 9.30 pm for news about Athama's bungled travel arrangements when we were set upon by these people. They were asking us to join them in the shouting calling for the government to resign."

"I told them that was a ridiculous suggestion. This was between us and Athama, who I think are guilty of treating us very badly. Well, these people didn't take this too well... they turned aggressive towards us saying we were pawns of Gayyoom's government and all our troubles were caused by us. This did not make sense. I am not political and I don't care who is in government. I just want to go to Hajj... I have paid for this trip with my life-savings!"

"Mr. Gasim Ibrahim (Minister of Finance and Treasury) and Mr. Mahmood Shaugy (Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation) visited Athama to offer the government's help for the travelers. But frankly this is down to Athama's incompetence."

As the situation grew tense, the crowd changed in its nature. "We decided it was best to leave then. It was apparent we weren't going to travel tonight. And there were all these sinister people turning up. Most of them were parteys (local slang for drug addicts). I don't think it was on their agenda to make the Holy Pilgrimage to Mecca."

The MDP congress ended with some members milling about, shouting slogans. A group led by Male' MP Mohamed Shihab and Laamu MP Moosa Manik made straight for Athama's Offices. Groups of youths were alerted with text messages and some ferried to the scene by motorbike.

As the pilgrims left, the MDP crowd grew violent. By then there was a small police presence. Onlookers report that five police were injured. One neighbourhood youth reported via mobile telephone:
"One policeman was struck in the face and he had a badly cut face. The main agitators were led by MDP bigwig Saljamgey Ziyad - a hardcore drug user who terrorizes this neighbourhood. I know the police captured pictures of the incidents - and I hope they arrest the perpetrators. The police eventually used some kind of spray to disperse people who turned violent. They did not use tear gas."

This incident is seen by many to be another attempt by the MDP to politicise any and every dispute. This has increased the distress of many already affected by the disruption of their travel plans.

"These people have become the scourge of our country. I will offer my most heart-felt prayers so that my grandchildren and the coming generations are saved from this hateful bunch", said the traveller.

Click to read full article

Moosa Court Case Update

The court case against the chief editor and owner of the Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) clandestine website dhivehiobserver.com Ahmed Shafeeg Ibrahim Moosa (Sappe) of Maafusheege, Male’, goes on in his absence in the Maldives.

This afternoon, the court saw evidence presented by the prosecution lawyers. The evidence was in the form of receipts, IOUs signed by Moosa himself and bank transfer records. The next trial date is said to be the 31st of January 2006.

If convicted, it is believed that Moosa’s house the above named Maafusheege will be sold by the banks, in order to pay Moosa’s creditors.

Moosa left the country in a hurry, in September 2003, and resides in Scotland at present in an effort to avoid conviction of defrauding a number of lenders. Moosa, allegedly owes a total of approximately US$ 560,000 (five hundred and sixty thousand United States Dollars) to several parties.

Abdulla Jaabir, a well-known hotelier informed olhuala.com that Moosa owed him a ‘considerable’ amount of money. ‘Sappe’ thinks discrediting the government through spreading slanderous lies will mean that he does not have to pay up. If he is dumb enough to think that, he has another thing coming. We will hunt him down wherever he is, no matter who is in government as I do not intend to be cheated out of my hard earned money’ added Maniku, another wealthy hotelier seeking repayments from Moosa.

Click to read full article

Waheed jostled and spat at by Ibra supporters

Supporters of Ibra shouted at and spat in the direction of losing leadership rival Mohamed Waheed outside the congress hall.

Waheed made a quick exit from the congress hall once the results were declared. He was followed out by about a dozen people who were joined by a group waiting outside. They proceeded to shout insults, push and shove Waheed as he made his way to a waiting car. "You mercenary. You do not have any right to a position within MDP. Go back to where you came from!" were some of the comments heard by onlookers.

Earlier, Waheed, sensing his fate after the first round of voting, was seen to make continuous phone calls. Some maintain he had a role in getting Annie to attend - as a last resort in his failing bid.

Waheed sees even the vice presidency is beneath him. His next step is keenly awaited, as at this moment it seems his future is in ruins.

He had given up a promising diplomatic career for a leadership role in local politics. His lack of understanding of the Maldivian political scene due to his long and comfortable exile abroad has proved fatal.

Click to read full article

Ibra Wins MDP Leadership, Waheed Humiliated

Mr Ibrahim Ismail (MP Male’) also known as Ibra has just been elected as the first leader of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom was among the first to congratulate Mr Ismail on this historic occasion.

In late afternoon, Mohamed Nasheed (Annie) who was elected as the Chairperson made an appearance at the congress to the sound of jeering and catcalls. Some called out "Fureytha aee (the Devil has come)". Scuffling broke out between these attendees and the MDP 'congress security' (bouncers) stationed at various points on the floor.

Annie joined the proceedings under special arrangement with the Justice Ministry and Police. He is believed to have signed a declaration stating his intent to return immediately once the proceedings were over. He further agreed to refrain from any incitory activity and warned of a return to jail if these temporary bail conditions were violated in any way.

The leadership vote was cast at Dharubaaruge, during the first Annual Congress held by the MDP in Male’. Mr Ismail won the first round of voting with 120 votes, followed by Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Maniku (105 votes), Dr Munawwar (82 votes), Mohamed Shihab (MP Male’, 10 votes), Ibrahim Hussain Zaki (the former cabinet minister, 3 votes) and Mohamed Ibrahim Didi-Modi (MP Nyaviyani atoll, 0 votes).

The vote achieved by the losing three candidates was then distributed equally between the two leading candidates. Hence Ismail won by an overwhelming majority of 193 votes.

It is yet unclear whether Ibra will include the other leadership candidates in his shadow cabinet. Time will only tell whether Mr Ismail will change the MDP tactics of employing junky hooligans to create riots on the streets of Male’ (August 2005, and August 2004) and whether the MDP will enter into dialogue with the democratically elected government for the good of the nation.

Nazaki Zaki, one of the biggest supporters Waheed told olhuala.com reporters “this is a humiliation for Dr Waheed, we are not sure whether Ibra has the ability or the intellectual capacity to lead the party into the upcoming elections, and I don’t think Ibra will hold the post for long”. When questioned whether Dr Waheed would challenge Ibra in the near future for the MDP leadership Zaki said, “it is a bit early to speculate what Dr Waheed would decide for his future”. Although the Waheed camp has not made any official statements to that effect, its widely speculated by political observers that Dr Waheed will indeed challenge Mr Ismail within a few months, or even earlier if the MDP candidate Mohamed Nasheed (Kaanal) loses the all important Male’ seat in the impending by-elections.

To the contrary, it is widely believed among the MDP members in the atolls that Dr Waheed would flee the country once again, in shame. It is also well known that Dr Waheed prefers to reside in Westernised countries rather than the Islamic environment in the Maldives.

Click to read full article

MDP Congress: Is Bishop Mancham the right person to advise Maldivians?

- editorial -

Given the critical phase of political development the Maldives is currently undergoing, it is our duty to be fully advised of the record and merits of those "foreign experts" we are too quick to employ. Olhuala.com has taken the time to do some research and we are thoroughly astonished by what has come up.

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has invited the former Seychelles President (and associate of military coup-maker France Albert René), The Right Honourable James Mancham as an observer to its Congress. This is a disturbing development for Maldivians who value stability, freedom and their religious beliefs: Mr. Mancham is, according to many sources, a failed politician reviled in the Seychelles, a brutal despot and a Christian evangelist.

A fervent Christian himself, Mancham often uses the word 'Crusade' to define his policies and his years in opposition have been marked by a steadfast alliance with the Roman Catholic Church.

According to the US State Department, during James Mancham's time as president of Seychelles, all top government posts were held by whites, a small minority of the population of the Seychelles. He also has a long history of good relations and support of South Africa's apartheid regime and its members.

The State Department provides a number of further insights into Mancham's barbaric rule.

On human rights:

"The President, whose party dominated the legislature, continued to wield power virtually unchecked. Security forces arbitrarily arrested and detained citizens. The Government failed to investigate or punish those involved in the violations of citizens' human rights."

On the military junta:

"The security forces, including about 400 Army personnel, a National Guard of undisclosed confidential size, and the armed "Police Mobile Unit" of 95 officers, had close ties to the ruling party."

On the separation of powers:

"The President dominates the country through a pervasive system of political patronage and control over government jobs, contracts, and resources. The judiciary is subject to executive interference."

"There was no regular system of independent monitoring of prisons."

On press freedom:

"Freedom of speech and press is constrained by the legal ease with which journalists can be penalized for alleged libel through civil law suits. Certain subjects, such as high-level corruption, remain largely taboo.

"The Ministry of Information publishes the only local daily newspaper, The Nation, which presents the news with a government bias and does not publish independent viewpoints on political matters."

In November 1981, a group of mercenaries funded by the then exiled Mancham attempted to overthrow the René government but failed when they were detected at the airport and repelled.
Mancham's popularity even back in the Seychelles is questionable: In the 1998 presidential elections, he gained a paltry 13.8% of the vote, finishing in third place (out of three). Politically rejected by the people, he and his Democratic Party did not contest the 2001 elections, choosing instead to make blanket criticisms of the popular René government. In 2002, the SDP only gained 3.1% of the popular vote.

Mancham however, has had his successes. Being from a country that is 98% Christian (Roman Catholic 86.6%, Anglican 6.8%, other Christian 2.5%), after his political life ended in failure, he has pursued an evangelical career, targeting Muslims in the Seychelles and the region as being "in need of enlightenment".

One of his biggest allies is Bishop Felix Paul, the former Roman Catholic bishop of the Seychelles, who has said he watches blue movies and has tried cultivating marijuana.

Mancham is also spokesman for Reverend Sun Myung Moon's "Now is God's Time" Christian proselytising project. Speaking in September 2005 on the work to spread Christianity Mancham said, "We are hoping to be in every nation of the world, as a way of changing the global conversation about how nations work together beyond the traditional channels."

Several observers have questioned the MDP’s decision to invite Mancham, to their congress. Is it the intention of the MDP to assist Mancham’s evangelical activities in the Maldives (a radio station operating from the Seychelles known as FIBA radio, has been linked with the MDP, as known MDP officials have aired their political propaganda on this channel. The channel is primarily involved in spreading the Christian faith to the Maldives) ? Or is it their intention to adopt Mancham’s harsh methods of governance?

These are serious questions the general public would like to know the answers to. Olhuala.com’s research goes on.

Click to read the full article

MDP Congress: Waheed in secret talks with DRP

Sources in Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) leadership candidate Mohamed Waheed's camp have revealed that he is in negotiations with Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) and government figures about his future.

The past few days has seen Waheed trying frantically to arrange telephone conversations with cabinet ministers, DRP MP's and even people at the President's Office. He is believed to be seeking contingencies in case he is defeated in the MDP leadership poll.

The MDP have always claimed a stance of 'non-engagement' with the government as well as the DRP although individual MDP members have continued to maintain links for personal reasons. However, for a senior official such as Waheed to be exposed in this situation is very damaging both for his credibility and for the MDP.

Waheed is currently in Male' after taking a serious gamble on his career. He resigned from his high profile job in the UN for the explicit purpose of 'taking over the helm of the MDP'. This role was guaranteed him by both Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra) and temporary party chairman Mohamed Nasheed (Annie).

Developments since have however proved complicated. Ibra himself has cut all support and links with Waheed to run against him for the leadership and has launched a hate campaign against Waheed while Annie is too busy trying to work out a way out of being convicted of actions carried out in front of hundreds of people. (A further falling out had occurred between Annie and Waheed because Waheed had warned against Annie's plans for violence.)

According to Ibra's hate campaign, Waheed had earlier emigrated because of the offer of a comfortable life abroad and he had no interest in the welfare of the people. Ibra also implied that Waheed had been forced to resign from the UN because of the exposure of 'irregularities' in his activities while stationed in Afghanistan.

This latest revelation is a further blow to Waheed who has found himself under growing attack recently. Waheed has claimed that Ibra is in touch with the police and magistrates to ensure Annie remains underhouse arrest. Waheed still sees Annie as his biggest supporter.

Click to read full article

Letter to Mr.Hardingham
- Editorial -

Dear Mr Hardingham,

Having called several times, and having e-mailed you several times within the last couple of days, it has proved to be immeasurably difficult to get some answers from you.

Reading your erstwhile proclamations brought a niggling uneasiness to my mind. I hope you may find it in your goodly Christian heart to clear up these matters for us backward types.

In case we are so insignificant that we do not deserve your time (as alas seems to be the case) we have taken the liberty of sending these questions to a number of reputable (and some not so reputable) organisations and media agencies. You may soon have the good fortune of an opportunity to respond to these issues.

1. What is the legal status of “Friends of Maldives” in the UK? Is there not a British Charity named “Friends of Maldives” run by Ms. Toni de la Roque that has nothing to do with you?

Is your use of their name not therefore in contravention of “the Law of England and Wales”?

2.You say it is the ‘regime’, which makes the MDP, FOM and Maldives Aid the same thing.

Can you tell us how the ‘regime’ made:

• MDP, FOM and Maldives Aid hire the same attorneys – Clyde & Co?
• Made Clyde & Co assign the same reference (Matter number 0401704) to documents they produced for both the MDP and FOM?
• FOM and MDP use the same person, Ahmed Moosa (Sappe’) council member and junior spokesman of the MDP, deal with Clyde & Co as their representative?
• You appoint Ahmed Naseer (Bondhu) member of the MDP council, the company secretary of your UK registered company Minivan Radio Limited?

You cannot avoid addressing these issues. Apparently the ‘regime’ is all-powerful, even within the MDP, FOM and Minivannews.

3.In your “boycott campaign” you refer to “resorts that are directly linked to the regime” and say that you hope to affect the ‘regime’ by denying them income.

In what you claim is a “brutal dictatorship” how would that affect the ‘regime’s’ hold on power?

Are these resorts the only income the government has? Do the other resorts (who in your kindness you spare – more on that later) not pay any annual fees or bed taxes under their contracts with the government?

And what exactly are these links you claim? Maldives is the number one destination in the world today and world travel agencies investing heavily in the Maldives do so because of its transparency, stability and security.

Are you also claiming that world travel agencies are also ‘linked to the regime’?

Perhaps you need to understand the Maldives better. I know you have made an effort to this end, but is there not a slight possibility that you may not know what you are talking about? Since you have not been to the Maldives even once?

4. After telling tourists where not to go, you go on to tell them the resorts they should go to. Is it just a coincidence that these resorts are “directly linked to the MDP” to use your phrase?

For example, although you list Kurumba Village, operated by Universal Enterprises as a resort “linked to the regime” you fail to list Full Moon resort, also operated by the same company, but owned by MDP council member Ahmed Abbas.

Since when is it ‘ethical’ to visit a resort owned by convicted mass murderers?

Ahmed Ismail Maniku (Sikka), one of the chief financiers of the MDP and owner of Maayaafushi, Dhiggiri, Bodu Hithi and Kuda Hithi in 1988 murdered 19 Maldivians in cold blood.

5. Why have you changed your tone since you published your “boycott list” leaflet? Is it that you trod on someone’s toes without thinking?

Have you posted your denial in writing to the concerned organisations that originally received your leaflet?

Are you aware dhivehiobserver.com frequently retrospectively edits material posted earlier?

Do you later intend to deny your denial?

6.You make several references to “government sponsored websites” and thereby state your belief that any support for anything has to be “sponsored”.

So who sponsors you?

The MDP? Sikka?

Having lived in the UK since 1982, why have you purchased two properties worth £136,000 and £137,000 since you started work for the MDP in November 2001?

Let me rephrase that. Having lived in the UK since 1982, why have you purchased two properties worth £136,000 and £137,000 since you started work on the Maldives front?

How do you explain the funds you have received from:

Account Number: 011-066186-101
HSBC Bank,
Colombo – 3,
Sri-Lanka.

The US$ account of Ahmed Ismail Maniku (Sikka).

7. What good do you expect to gain from mocking Maldivians’ intelligence?

I hope that you will provide the answers to the above questions speedily. It need not be in an email, it can take the form of an interview as they always do, on one of your websites.

Eagerly awaiting your reply,

The Editor – olhuala.com

Click to read full article

Munawwar Questioned At MDP Meeting

Dr Munawwar the former Attorney General of the Maldives, who is also a Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) leadership hopeful, faced a battery of questions during the recent MDP meeting held at Kalaafaanu School in Male’.

Munawwar was queried about his decision to prosecute the MDP interim chairperson Mohamed Nasheed (Annie) on charges of theft.

Nasheed was subsequently convicted, and served a banishment sentence of 2 years. It was widely spread in various newspapers and websites at that time that Annie was in fact innocent and that he only ‘took something, which has been set for disposal as rubbish’.

Munnawar was asked this question directly by an MDP member from Male’. ‘Yes…what he did was not a crime…but I still sent his case to the courts’ was Maunawwar’s reply. The infuriated MDP member then asked whether Munawwar was acting on direct orders from the President to prosecute Annie, for political reasons. Munawwar’s reply has since started a number of conspiracy theories.

Munawwar’s reply: I can reveal the exact reason IF ANNIE HAS NO PROBLEM WITH ME REVEALING THE REASON.

It is very obvious to observers that Munawwar was coordinating with Annie even before he ‘officially’ joined the MDP. Miadhu Daily newspaper (incidently owned by Munawwar’s father-in-law) reported that ‘it was apparent to those who were present at the meeting, then and there that Annie and Munawwar had a pact. Annie was to be prosecuted for some minor incident for him to gain international acclaim as a freedom fighter, and a persecuted democracy activist’.

Annie has so far remained silent on this issue, and has not granted Munawwar his ‘blessing’ to reveal the actual reason behind their decision to prosecute Annie.

Click to read the full article

Hardingham Lies Yet Again

(Exclusive Report)

"Olhuala.com reporters contacted David Hardingham several times to clarify this issue, but he refused to comment. We at olhuala.com and the entire Maldivian nation would like to know why an MDP official, should contact other organizations on behalf of the Friends of Maldives, if they were separate entities"

.........................................

David Hardingham, the founder of Friends of Maldives (FOM) and Maldives Aid has added to his web of lies in a recent ‘interview’ published on dhivehiobserver.com, over which Hardingham has editorial control.

In his ‘interview’ Hardingham denied producing and distributing the brochure that Maldives Aid and the FOM sent to various, selected travel establishments and diplomatic missions in Europe by post.

Hardingham never intended the brochure to reach the general public or the World Wide Web. ‘It was designed for a select audience. Dave [Hardingham] is desperate to distance the FOM and Maldives Aid from the brochure due to mounting pressure from a number of major UK based travel companies and Maldivian hoteliers’ said a source within the FOM who wished to remain anonymous. He/She also informed us that the brochures were in fact, designed in the UK, based on information provided by senior MDP officials and MDP resort owners based in Male’ (Hardingham has never set foot in the Maldives) and printed in South Asia, through Hardingham’s men based within the MDP offices in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The FOM founder (Hardingham) also claimed that it was not his intention to damage the Maldives’ economy through his proposed boycott campaign. Evidence points to the contrary. The ‘boycott list’ (see below) of resort islands constitutes nearly 38% of the total number of tourist beds in the Maldives and employs a considerable fraction of the entire labour force of the country (boycott total: 6331, total beds: 16,858 information from the Maldives Tourism Ministry official website).

Furthermore our source within the FOM informed us that it was Hardingham’s master plan to bring the Maldives to its knees, economically. Hardingham outlined his ‘rock the dhoni from the inside’ philosophy to MDP and FOM leaders in an email. Hardingham explained in his email that ‘the best way to get rid of Gayyoom would be to starve the entire country, so that the entire population would blame and rise against Gayyoom’. Our source also said that ‘Dave [Hardingham] came up with this idea due the lack of both local and international support’ for the MDP’s efforts, through its international wing the FOM.

The Villa Group a major company featured on the ‘boycott list’, owned by Mr Gasim Ibrahim (MP, Finance Minister, philanthropist) employs over 6,000 employees and pays approximately MRF 7 million (approximately US$ 545000) as monthly wages. Furthermore the Villa foundation spends over US$ 3 million per annum as free medical aid to the general public, as an act of good will. The Villa foundation also finances a number of local students who wish to obtain higher education at foreign universities. There are 207 villa scholars at various institutions all over the world at present (www.villafoundation.org). If the FOM’s vicious calls were to be answered by the European tourists, it is believed that over 60% of the population of the Maldives will be affected in one way or the other.

Hardingham, in his ‘interview’ acknowledged the fact that both the Friends of Maldives and Maldives Aid operated from the same offices, and that they were both controlled by the same person, but made an effort to say that ‘they operated as separate entities’. The 544 Camp Street, 531 Lafayette Street, New Orleans scenario comes to mind (see Assassination of US President JFK).

Olhuala.com wishes to point out that Hardingham failed, very conveniently to address the issue of the contract between the FOM and Tourism Concern, another UK based charity. Such contracts breach UK laws. (See olhuala.com main page and also earlier articles for details)

Last but not least, Hardingham made an effort to dissociate himself, minivannews (not mentioned in the question) the FOM and Maldives Aid from the MDP, as it is illegal for UK charities to be involved in politics, let alone the politics of another sovereign nation.

In actual fact David Hardingham of Wiltshire, UK, is none other than the leader of the Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) illegitimate international wing, and has been involved in Maldivian domestic affairs since late 2003.

Maldivian Democratic Party council member Ahmed Moosa who acted as official MDP spokesperson on the BBC on several occasions hired a London, UK law firm (Clyde & Co, 51 Eastcheap, London EC3M 1JP, UK) to finalise the constitution of the FOM. Rizwan Kanji who handled the case on behalf of Clyde & Co. told olhuala.com that Moosa contacted his firm on behalf of the Maldivian Democratic Party as a representative of the Friends of Maldives on this matter (Client number: 33010 Matter number: 0401704). As evidence we have obtained the document in question through our source within the FOM, and it is downloadable from our main page. Please download the document and open with Microsoft Word. Then click on File, Properties to see authorship, and client details.

Olhuala.com reporters contacted David Hardingham several times to clarify this issue, but he refused to comment.

We at olhuala.com and the entire Maldivian nation would like to know why an MDP official, should contact other organizations on behalf of the Friends of Maldives, if they were separate entities. The UK is a vast country in comparison to the Maldives (UK population is over 50 million, Maldives population is no more than 350,000) and it is highly unlikely that Moosa who currently resides in Glasgow, Scotland should act on behalf of Hardingham who is based in Salisbury, and the fact that Moosa happens to be a senior MDP official is a mere coincidence.

As we have maintained throughout, olhuala.com prides in reporting facts. Read our site as opposed to disinformation sites such as dhivehiobserver.com and minivannews.com operated by the likes of Hardingham and Moosa.

Number of Tourist Beds in FOM ‘Boycott List’

Bandos Island Resort 522
Cocoa Island 49
Tulaagiri Island 110
Dhonveli Beach resort 100
Hakuraa Club 140
Alidhoo 200
Dhonakulhi 50
Paradise Island resort 520
Olhuveli Beach resort 200
Lily Beach Island Resort 150
Vilu Reef Beach resort 208
Kandooma resort 240
Sun Island resort 708
Fun Island resort 200
Holiday Island resort 284
Royal Island resort 308
Vakarufalhi Island resort 100
Dhonimigili resort 24
Biyadhoo island resort 192
Kalhufahalafushi resort 200
Maavelaavaru resort 100
Funamadua resort 100
Coco Palm resort 200
Makunudu Island resort 72
Meeru Island resort 552
Rangali Hilton 300
Veligandu Island Resort 146
Kurumba Village 356

Total: 6331

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Download the drafted FOM constitution

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Maldives United As A Nation In Condemning FOM/Maldives Aid

The recent calls by the Friends of Maldives and Maldives Aid (both UK based charities) on tour operators, travel agents and tourists to boycott selected resorts in the Maldives has resulted in widespread condemnation of these organisations.

The Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), Adhaalath Party and the recently registered Islamic Democratic Party (IDP) have called on the FOM and Maldives Aid to withdraw all such statements without delay.

It is not surprising that the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) have remained silent over the matter. Secret documents that have surfaced recently have proved beyond any doubt that these organisations are in fact arms of the international wing of the MDP. The leader of the MDP international wing David Hardingham of Wiltshire, UK, heads both organisations.

Although clandestine websites (also operated by Hardingham) such as minivannews.com claim widespread support for the calls by the FOM, evidence points to the contrary.

Minivannews claimed that FOM had strong support within the European Parliament. But within hours of the release of the FOM brochures, the European Parliament approved extensive loans to the Maldives Government. This is a major indication that the European Parliament does not regard the Maldivian Government to be breaching any human rights laws. It is in fact a ringing endorsement of the Governments commitment and competence in caring for the general public.

Furthermore, the United States Government has also extended its aid to the Maldives. If people were to believe minivannews.com are they also to believe that the US government (which is widely believed as human rights and democracy ambassadors) will support governments guilty of gross human rights violations?

The fact of the matter is, that FOM and Maldives Aid are in fact politically motivated organisations trying to discredit the current Maldivian government in an effort to pave the road into power for the MDP. Olhuala.com has recently published contracts signed between the Friends of Maldives and Tourism Concern, which requires Tourism Concern to launch a massive campaign of branding the Maldivian Government as human rights violators, and of branding President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom as a dictator. In actual fact such contracts are illegal under UK law, as Tourism Concern, another UK based charity (Registered Charity No. 1064020) is prohibited by law to sign such contracts.

The FOM brochure also accused several well-known businessmen of either being corrupt or being terrorists. The brochure accused Mr Gasim Ibrahim, the current finance minister of the Maldives of corruption and illicit activities. It is surprising how minivannews.com has changed its attitude towards Mr Ibrahim since he joined Gayyoom’s DRP. Minivannews was a keen supporter of Mr Ibrahim before his defection to the DRP.

Mr Ibrahim is in fact one of the biggest philanthropists in the country. He is respected by his peers and colleagues for his honesty and integrity. The general public adores him.

The brochure accused Mr Ali Umar Maniku, of Universal Enterprises of being corrupt and of unlawful acquisition of resort islands through Gayyoom’s government. While FOM called for tourism boycott of Kurumba Village owned by Universal, it failed to call for the boycott of Full Moon Resort, which is operated by Universal but owned by MDP governing council member Ahmed Abbas.

The FOM brochure also accused Mr Shiva of the Lily group of far greater crimes. The Brochure accused Mr Shiva of being a member of the Tamil terrorist organisation LTTE. Furthermore the brochure accused Mr Shiva of personally plotting the assassination of the former Sri Lankan foreign minister the late Lakshman Kadhirigama. Spreading such slander is a gross violation of human rights. Olhuala.com calls on David Hardingham of FOM/Maldives Aid and minivannews to withdraw these statements immediately. Mr Shiva is a well-known and respected businessman. He has been residing in the Maldives since December 1978 and has never been implicated in any wrong doings. He is known to be a mild mannered, kindhearted man.

Olhuala.com is duty bound to mention the violent crimes committed by the MDP’s leadership and the MDP’s financiers. Sikka Ahmed Ismail Maniku (chief financier of the MDP) uncle by marriage of MDP’s current interim Chairman Mohamed Nasheed (Annie) planned and carried out a terrorist attack on the Maldivian Capital Male’ on the 3rd of November 1988, killing 19 innocent Maldivians. Although not convicted, it is widely believed that MDP interim Chairman Mohamed Nasheed was also involved in the planning of this attack. Sikka was convicted and sentenced to death by the Maldivian High Court. He was spared from death by a special presidential pardon granted to him by Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom. Was that a human rights violation, one wonders?

The recent calls by the FOM caused several anti FOM and anti MDP demonstrations in several atolls. A record 14,000 demonstrators attended the rallies held in Seenu atoll Maradhufeydhu.

Several observers termed these events as the ‘beginning of the end’ of the MDP hence the FOM and Maldives Aid.

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Click to view the agreement

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