Sunday, September 14, 2008

Know your candidates (2): Hassan Saeed


During recent history few people have dominated the affairs of the Maldivian government to the extent Dr. Hassan Saeed did during his brief stint as Attorney General –certainly not anyone with his humble background. When Hassan joined the cabinet in 2003, he was basically an island boy with no family connections and little experience in Maldivian politics. But within two years, he became the most powerful man in the cabinet, outsmarting both Kaamineege and Endherimaage camps, beating them at their own game.


Hassan resigned from the Cabinet rather abruptly in August 2007, and soon announced his intention to stand for the presidential elections. Thus he is one of the first to announce his candidacy and the first to release a comprehensive manifesto. Let us examine his strengths and weaknesses.

Hassan Saeed’s achievements so far:



  • Became Attorney General in 2003 (he has since resigned from this post);

  • Gave the landmark legal advice that led to the formation of political parties;

  • Launched and implemented the Criminal Justice Action Plan;

  • Became Vice President of DRP (he has since resigned from this post);

  • Made a name for himself among the Maldivian people.

    Strengths:

  • Educated in both Islamic and western systems, holding a PhD in law;

  • Has charisma according to many, and fits the mental image most Maldivians have of the archetypical president;

  • Has administrative and political acumen, the skills that enabled him to become the focal point of the government's reform agenda;

  • Has energy and is action-oriented.

    Weaknesses:

  • Played a dubious role when in government, particularly in the prosecution of opposition leaders;

  • Introduced controversial practices such as sentencing in absentia;

  • Has been prone to taking rash decisions.

    Highlights of the agenda:

  • Establishing 4 tertiary hospitals across the archipelago and providing emergency medical evacuation by air and sea;

  • Providing health insurance to all, giving special attention to socially and economically vulnerable groups;

  • Taking strict legal action against drug traffickers;

  • Improving locally available education by establishing international schools and universities and facilitating studies abroad through 500 full and 1000 partial scholarships each year;

  • Promoting fish exports and protecting the exclusive economic zone of Maldives;

  • Attracting foreign investment by promoting confidence in the Maldives;

  • Promoting middle and small businesses, job creation and job training;

  • Promoting good governance through, establishing island councils, reducing wasteful expenditure, upholding the law, electoral reforms, and press freedom;

  • Providing basic services like water, sanitation, housing, electricity and transport by establishing 4 cities;

  • Improving law and order through developing a professional police force and training the judiciary.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

HASSAN SAEED AND Dr WAHEED SHOULD BECOME IBRAHIM ISMAIL'S RUNNING MATE'S. HOPE THE MSG IS CLEAR!

Anonymous said...

once again Mr. Waheed has reiterated why maldivians should support Hassan Saeed inhis bid for the presidency. The fella has only been in the Maldives for less than a decade and lo..like moses parting water we have been given enough fodder to talk about. He has left the others and some who have been in highest echolons of power in shame at the magnitude and capacity of deeds for the betterment of the society. Anni you were right in your first assessment of him before the would and hasbeen clouded your judgement. You should have been the running mate of Hassan..it would have been a boon for the maldivian public..

Anonymous said...

what if u get a chance to becoem HIS running mate!!!!

Anonymous said...

I think he is most capble presidential candidate announced so far. my vote go to him.

Anonymous said...

I have been reading this blog since last week, and I feel those who comment on this blog has a confusion of two Dr.Waheed. The real medical doctor Dr.Abduall Waheed who owns this blog and The infamous Dr.Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik the PhD Waheed (Fili Waheed). Too many doctors in politics, Dr.Saeed, Dr.Shaheed, do we really need to adress them doctors, when they are in politics.

I like this blog as its bringing what we need to know about these candidates. Good job Dr.Waheed, I am waiting to read about Maumoon, what you are going to write.

Anonymous said...

Hassan Saeed's running mate is not very exciting. At the same time to judge Hassan Saeed as a potential presidential candidate I believe we have to see his past. Have a look and decide yourself.

http://hassansaeedh.blogspot.com

I sure am not giving my vote to him.

Dr. Waheed. You blog is getting popular day by day and this is a good sign that people want more information about candidates.

hudhuhandhu said...

great blog, informative and unbiased.. definitely gonna follow this one :)

Anonymous said...

Dr. Hassan's running mate is definately one of the best in country. this combination can sell to people easily i guess. both of them have good qualities they are the real reformers. the reforms they brought this country can see. good example is party system, human rights, freedom of express and many more...

Anonymous said...

Dr. Waheed. You are doing a great job.I have been following your blog ever since for the first time I visited your blog. DO sappe sometimes kind of unhappy when blogs like this stands unbiased and thats why we dont see a link of this blog on DO sappe website.i hope you will write a comprehensive and objective write up regarding Gayoom. i hope you will talk about the atrocities Gayoom government have committed against people of our country.

Anonymous said...

Hassan Saeed is the best presidential candidate ever..come on every body..done miss ur votes.

Anonymous said...

Reminder:

Hatharu vana baabu,
Raeesul jumhooriyya,

(Riyaasathuge dhauru)107(haa)

Raeesul jumhooriyyage dhaurakee fas aharu dhuvaheve. Adhi "miqaanoon asaasee"ge dhashun raeesul jumhooriyaage maqaamah inthihaab kurevey ehves meehakah vidhividhigen nuvatha enoon gothakah ves dhedhaurahvure ginadhuvahu raeesul jumhooriyya kamuge maqaameh nufureyne eve.
Note:(mi qaanoon asaasege dhashun kamah bunevifai evanee, dhivehi jumhooriyaage Qaanoon asaasee eve)

Anonymous said...

Dr Hassan saeed's running mate Dr Shaheed is not a very ethical person.
When he was working in Foreign Ministry..he was going out with one of girls there while he also had a wife. He did get a scholarship for her, discriminated others and favored her. He also did assignments for her when she was away studying...He was also very unethical in the way he treated people....if someone told him this person is bad..he took their word for it..and if someone told him to be nice to a person he did that as well. At the end, it was his girl friend who was running the Ministry.

Feel free to ask anyone who was working in the foreign Ministry at the time regarding Dr.Shaheed & his girl friend and how unethical and bias he was.

So what do you think would happen if he becomes the VP?

Anonymous said...

Dr Hassan saeed's running mate Dr Shaheed is not a very ethical person.
When he was working in Foreign Ministry..he was going out with one of girls there while he also had a wife. He did get a scholarship for her, discriminated others and favored her. He also did assignments for her when she was away studying...He was also very unethical in the way he treated people....if someone told him this person is bad..he took their word for it..and if someone told him to be nice to a person he did that as well. At the end, it was his girl friend who was running the Ministry.
Feel free to ask anyone who was working in the foreign Ministry at the time regarding Dr.Shaheed & his girl friend and how unethical and bias he was.
So what do you think would happen if he becomes the VP?

Anonymous said...

Dr.Hassan for president.Hehe.I saw him run away for a debate live telecasted.Would you want a president who cant take oof the heat in a debate to be your president.And being a phD holder doesnt qualify instantly to be in a high govt post.