shadow cabinet
A Cabinet for Party Unity - Not a Cabinet for thebetterment 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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