ibra-gasimpaysme
Ibra claims he receives monthly salary from Gasim
Ismail Rifau, Political Correspondent
Male’, Maldives, 13th February 2006 (www.olhuala.com) – The leader of the MDP, Ibrahim Ismail Ibra, has made a sensational claim that he is being funded by Gasim Ibrahim, the Minister of Finance and Treasury. Ibra made these claims in an attempt to bolster his dwindling support base within the MDP.
Following Saturday’s debate about another demonstration, yesterday’s scheduled meeting was again called off due to the lack of response from the 59 members of the national council. Instead, Ibra gathered a number of close aides at Boaganvilla, his residence where he made the claims, stressing that Gasim pays him a fixed salary and makes recommendations on how Ibra should run the MDP.
Ibra stated that he cannot answer calls by Chairman Mohamed Nasheed Annie for street demonstrations because Gasim prohibits Ibra’s participation in any such activity.
The news serves as a massive blow to the credibility of Ibra to party outsiders, but conversely, Ibra expects his supporters to increase in number. Gasim remains a popular figure among ordinary folk and it may well be a bonus to have him as a supporter.
Yet the MDP’s main strategy is to criticise the government and its leaders in an unrelenting fashion and being uncovered to be in the paid service of a member of the cabinet leaves Ibra’s integrity as a politician in tatters. It is not known whether Annie is aware of Ibra’s claims or indeed, of any such payments.
Gasim is one of the signatories of a 2001 petition to register a political party in the Maldives; a request which was rejected by Parliament on the advise of the then Attorney General, Dr Mohamed Munavvar. It was Munavvar’s professional opinion that the current constitution did not allow for the formation of political parties. Although this attempt ended in failure, this movement later gave rise to the present MDP. Gasim had never been a registered member of any political party until he signed for the ruling DRP upon taking office as the Finance Minister.
Gasim now faces increased pressure to clarify his position. DRP members have scrutinised his actions although he remains one of the most vocal and visible supporters of the government and its policies. Suspicion among DRP members stem from his earlier association with some members of the MDP and his admission that he made a donation of Mrf 200,000 to the MDP to assist in the organisation of their national congress in December 2005.
It was also recorded that Gasim had made extra payments to Ibra at that time. MDP member Ali Faiz, also a Special Majilis Member and an employee of Gasim’s delivered a small package to Ibra on December 15th, four days before the MDP congress. At the time Ibra was in the presence of other leading members of the MDP.
Faiz described the incident to olhuala.com: “I told Ibra that the [envelope] was from Gasim and the others present demanded that it be opened in front of everyone. When Ibra reluctantly gave in, there was Mrf. 45,000 in 500 rufiyaa notes inside. The other members demanded an explanation and that it be deposited in the MDP coffers, but Ibra would not budge, insisting it was a private matter between Gasim and himself.
“The money was addressed to Ibra [he had not been elected party leader at that time and was involved in a vicious campaign against Waheed Hassan, his main opponent] and not to the party, which everyone present found objectionable. I do know that Ibra maintains close contact with Gasim but I do not know whether any other payments have been made.”
Non-partisan observers believe that Gasim is walking a tightrope. He was charged after the disturbances of August 2004 and spent a period of time in jail. Constitutional experts claimed last night that Gasim may well be in breach of his oath of office if Ibra’s claims are upheld.
One expert observed: “Mr. Gasim was free to choose his political preferences as is any Maldivian. He rejected the MDP because he believed they had no future and did not present a durable platform to work towards his goals. He chose the government and the DRP because he believed he had a lot to contribute to the government’s work.
“He pledged an oath of loyalty to the people and the President. If he is aiding and abetting the work of individuals who have a declared objective of unconstitutionally bringing down the elected government, that may well be a serious miscalculation on his part.”
Click to read full story
Ismail Rifau, Political Correspondent
Male’, Maldives, 13th February 2006 (www.olhuala.com) – The leader of the MDP, Ibrahim Ismail Ibra, has made a sensational claim that he is being funded by Gasim Ibrahim, the Minister of Finance and Treasury. Ibra made these claims in an attempt to bolster his dwindling support base within the MDP.Following Saturday’s debate about another demonstration, yesterday’s scheduled meeting was again called off due to the lack of response from the 59 members of the national council. Instead, Ibra gathered a number of close aides at Boaganvilla, his residence where he made the claims, stressing that Gasim pays him a fixed salary and makes recommendations on how Ibra should run the MDP.
Ibra stated that he cannot answer calls by Chairman Mohamed Nasheed Annie for street demonstrations because Gasim prohibits Ibra’s participation in any such activity.
The news serves as a massive blow to the credibility of Ibra to party outsiders, but conversely, Ibra expects his supporters to increase in number. Gasim remains a popular figure among ordinary folk and it may well be a bonus to have him as a supporter.
Yet the MDP’s main strategy is to criticise the government and its leaders in an unrelenting fashion and being uncovered to be in the paid service of a member of the cabinet leaves Ibra’s integrity as a politician in tatters. It is not known whether Annie is aware of Ibra’s claims or indeed, of any such payments.
Gasim is one of the signatories of a 2001 petition to register a political party in the Maldives; a request which was rejected by Parliament on the advise of the then Attorney General, Dr Mohamed Munavvar. It was Munavvar’s professional opinion that the current constitution did not allow for the formation of political parties. Although this attempt ended in failure, this movement later gave rise to the present MDP. Gasim had never been a registered member of any political party until he signed for the ruling DRP upon taking office as the Finance Minister.
Gasim now faces increased pressure to clarify his position. DRP members have scrutinised his actions although he remains one of the most vocal and visible supporters of the government and its policies. Suspicion among DRP members stem from his earlier association with some members of the MDP and his admission that he made a donation of Mrf 200,000 to the MDP to assist in the organisation of their national congress in December 2005.
It was also recorded that Gasim had made extra payments to Ibra at that time. MDP member Ali Faiz, also a Special Majilis Member and an employee of Gasim’s delivered a small package to Ibra on December 15th, four days before the MDP congress. At the time Ibra was in the presence of other leading members of the MDP.
Faiz described the incident to olhuala.com: “I told Ibra that the [envelope] was from Gasim and the others present demanded that it be opened in front of everyone. When Ibra reluctantly gave in, there was Mrf. 45,000 in 500 rufiyaa notes inside. The other members demanded an explanation and that it be deposited in the MDP coffers, but Ibra would not budge, insisting it was a private matter between Gasim and himself.
“The money was addressed to Ibra [he had not been elected party leader at that time and was involved in a vicious campaign against Waheed Hassan, his main opponent] and not to the party, which everyone present found objectionable. I do know that Ibra maintains close contact with Gasim but I do not know whether any other payments have been made.”
Non-partisan observers believe that Gasim is walking a tightrope. He was charged after the disturbances of August 2004 and spent a period of time in jail. Constitutional experts claimed last night that Gasim may well be in breach of his oath of office if Ibra’s claims are upheld.
One expert observed: “Mr. Gasim was free to choose his political preferences as is any Maldivian. He rejected the MDP because he believed they had no future and did not present a durable platform to work towards his goals. He chose the government and the DRP because he believed he had a lot to contribute to the government’s work.
“He pledged an oath of loyalty to the people and the President. If he is aiding and abetting the work of individuals who have a declared objective of unconstitutionally bringing down the elected government, that may well be a serious miscalculation on his part.”
Click to read full story