reply to letter1
Editors clarification on reader's comment
Dear Reader,
We accept your observations and recommendations with the utmost sincerity and are in general encouraged by your comments. We do hope to reflect the true views of our island and accept that our efforts need guidance from time to time.
As ever, we evaluate all constructive criticism with the will to make our news site better in every way possible. As such, please note the following:
1. Having reviewed our recent article titled "Fuvahmulak Modi", we accept your very valid objections.
Hence, we are removing the parts we feel may cause offense.
2. With respect to your allusion to the Adduvas article on the government's loans policy:
a. As a responsible news source, we base our content on matters that are factually important, which may or may not be the 'flavour of the day' for less responsible journalists. The Adduvas article was grossly inaccurate.
I have personally allocated two full-time reporters to investigate this case further, and they have reported the facts to me.
Hence please also consider these facts:
i. The said loans were paid out under existing legislation, laws and practices. Assets such as property deeds were set down as security. There is no discrimination based on family relations, atolls or islands.
Misappropriation is a very dangerous phrase to use in this context. The government can be blamed for not enforcing repayment on ANY of the non-payers.
ii. Of the oft-quoted Mrf 125 million, a majority of the sum has been repaid. Therefore it is not reasonable to bandy this figure about. If the loans lists are analysed properly, the un-repaid sums amount to less than Mrf 50 million.
This amounts to less than Mrf 2 million a year, which is a miniscule amount even for a country our size.
The Adduvas allegation boils down to the government "stealing SIX RUFIYA (Mrf 6.00) from the average Maldivian". With all due respect, olhuala.com does not believe this to be news.
Olhuala.com does not condone any of these activities, however, we feel that any accusations of 'misappropriation' must be proved in a court of law.
b. Strangely enough, only the loans granted to government and DRP officials have been leaked to the 'press'.
Olhuala.com reporters are working behind the scenes to secure a comprehensive list.
The leak is rumoured to have been identified as emanating from the Ministry of Finance. On more than one count, the story has not broken yet.
Be sure that olhuala.com will be the first to get the REAL news to you.
Again, we wish to thank you in addition to asking you to keep the communication lines open and keep your thoughts coming in.
Wishing you a most rewarding Eid-ul-Alha and a prosperous 2006.
Dear Reader,
We accept your observations and recommendations with the utmost sincerity and are in general encouraged by your comments. We do hope to reflect the true views of our island and accept that our efforts need guidance from time to time.
As ever, we evaluate all constructive criticism with the will to make our news site better in every way possible. As such, please note the following:
1. Having reviewed our recent article titled "Fuvahmulak Modi", we accept your very valid objections.
Hence, we are removing the parts we feel may cause offense.
2. With respect to your allusion to the Adduvas article on the government's loans policy:
a. As a responsible news source, we base our content on matters that are factually important, which may or may not be the 'flavour of the day' for less responsible journalists. The Adduvas article was grossly inaccurate.
I have personally allocated two full-time reporters to investigate this case further, and they have reported the facts to me.
Hence please also consider these facts:
i. The said loans were paid out under existing legislation, laws and practices. Assets such as property deeds were set down as security. There is no discrimination based on family relations, atolls or islands.
Misappropriation is a very dangerous phrase to use in this context. The government can be blamed for not enforcing repayment on ANY of the non-payers.
ii. Of the oft-quoted Mrf 125 million, a majority of the sum has been repaid. Therefore it is not reasonable to bandy this figure about. If the loans lists are analysed properly, the un-repaid sums amount to less than Mrf 50 million.
This amounts to less than Mrf 2 million a year, which is a miniscule amount even for a country our size.
The Adduvas allegation boils down to the government "stealing SIX RUFIYA (Mrf 6.00) from the average Maldivian". With all due respect, olhuala.com does not believe this to be news.
Olhuala.com does not condone any of these activities, however, we feel that any accusations of 'misappropriation' must be proved in a court of law.
b. Strangely enough, only the loans granted to government and DRP officials have been leaked to the 'press'.
Olhuala.com reporters are working behind the scenes to secure a comprehensive list.
The leak is rumoured to have been identified as emanating from the Ministry of Finance. On more than one count, the story has not broken yet.
Be sure that olhuala.com will be the first to get the REAL news to you.
Again, we wish to thank you in addition to asking you to keep the communication lines open and keep your thoughts coming in.
Wishing you a most rewarding Eid-ul-Alha and a prosperous 2006.
Hussain Umar
The Editor
Olhuala.com
The Editor
Olhuala.com
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