reekointerview
Reeko: Gayoom most deserving of credit
Editorial Comment
MDP’s Reeko Moosa Manik, MP for Laamu Atoll, has had a dramatic change in outlook over the past few years. The recently announced shadow minister of social affairs, youth and labour, an extremely diverse and extensive group of portfolios, has recently made numerous u-turns in his perception of the Maldives, President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and most surprisingly, of himself.
His recent statements in the Majlis and MDP political rallies are in stark contrast to his views published in an interview in local weekly magazine, Adduvas, in December 2000. In 2004 he gave up a modest career in the fledgling Maldivian film industry for a role in politics, an area he had earlier rejected in no uncertain terms.
Mr. Manik’s level of education (he had formal education only up to the age of six), an area of concern since being named in the shadow cabinet, was also spelled out in the Adduvas interview, although he has since claimed to have received secondary education during an unspecified period at an unspecified institution.
Mr. Manik now maintains that President Gayoom’s leadership has provided no benefit to the nation. However, in 2000, he was gushing with praise for Gayoom, and for the progress and development Gayoom has brought to the country.
Questions now arise about the acceptability of a public official who changes his viewpoint so readily and who, in his own words, is of such limited intellectual capacity.
The following are excerpts of the interview which appeared under the front page heading “My aim in life is to become rich”; Adduvas, Vol. 27, 14 December 2000.
Q: What are your hopes for the future?
A: Even when I was a child, I had a desire to be seen as a very stylish individual who people looked up to. My ambition has always been to live a very extravagant life and to be perceived by others to have such a lifestyle.
My family was not well off. My mother raised me by herself. Those days [1960’s], were very backward times compared to now. That is why I grew up with no education, nothing in my brain. Maybe that is why that even a few months ago, I had no well-formed ambitions or plans.
Q: If you were offered the top position of Television Maldives (TVM) will you take it?
A: Definitely not. I have no aptitude to take a proper [7:30 – 2:30] job. I have no intention in ever getting involved in politics.
Q: Who do you think deserves most credit for your career? Hence who do you think deserves your thanks most?
A: President Maumoon [Abdul Gayoom]. The Maldivian film industry has benefited immeasurably from President Maumoon’s work, both individually and by his government’s policies.
For the full article please read Adduvas, Volume 27, 14 December 2000.
Click to read full article
Editorial Comment
MDP’s Reeko Moosa Manik, MP for Laamu Atoll, has had a dramatic change in outlook over the past few years. The recently announced shadow minister of social affairs, youth and labour, an extremely diverse and extensive group of portfolios, has recently made numerous u-turns in his perception of the Maldives, President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and most surprisingly, of himself.
His recent statements in the Majlis and MDP political rallies are in stark contrast to his views published in an interview in local weekly magazine, Adduvas, in December 2000. In 2004 he gave up a modest career in the fledgling Maldivian film industry for a role in politics, an area he had earlier rejected in no uncertain terms.
Mr. Manik’s level of education (he had formal education only up to the age of six), an area of concern since being named in the shadow cabinet, was also spelled out in the Adduvas interview, although he has since claimed to have received secondary education during an unspecified period at an unspecified institution.
Mr. Manik now maintains that President Gayoom’s leadership has provided no benefit to the nation. However, in 2000, he was gushing with praise for Gayoom, and for the progress and development Gayoom has brought to the country.
Questions now arise about the acceptability of a public official who changes his viewpoint so readily and who, in his own words, is of such limited intellectual capacity.
The following are excerpts of the interview which appeared under the front page heading “My aim in life is to become rich”; Adduvas, Vol. 27, 14 December 2000.
Q: What are your hopes for the future?
A: Even when I was a child, I had a desire to be seen as a very stylish individual who people looked up to. My ambition has always been to live a very extravagant life and to be perceived by others to have such a lifestyle.
My family was not well off. My mother raised me by herself. Those days [1960’s], were very backward times compared to now. That is why I grew up with no education, nothing in my brain. Maybe that is why that even a few months ago, I had no well-formed ambitions or plans.
Q: If you were offered the top position of Television Maldives (TVM) will you take it?
A: Definitely not. I have no aptitude to take a proper [7:30 – 2:30] job. I have no intention in ever getting involved in politics.
Q: Who do you think deserves most credit for your career? Hence who do you think deserves your thanks most?
A: President Maumoon [Abdul Gayoom]. The Maldivian film industry has benefited immeasurably from President Maumoon’s work, both individually and by his government’s policies.
For the full article please read Adduvas, Volume 27, 14 December 2000.
Click to read full article