The Depopulation of Thinadhoo: A survivor Relates her Tragic Story

It was January 31, 1962, fifty years ago.  Amina Faanu was just 19 years. She was at home with her one-and-half-year old son Mohammed Shakeel and three women. Her husband was on a trip to Addu Atoll. Being morning Amina was busy taking care of Shakeel and attending to domestic chores.  She had no premonition that her life was going to take a sudden precarious turn by sunset.

By then, unknown to her, MV Silver Crest had cast anchor in Thinadhoo. Onboard was Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir accompanied by a battalion of Maldivian soldiers on a mission to quell the second rebellion in Thinadhoo.  Nasir asked the islanders to surrender, but they refused. 

Amina Faanu was jolted by a loud noise followed by a commotion. The noise increased and got closer engulfing the whole island.  When she looked around there was pandemonium.  Soldiers had invaded Thinadhoo and opening fire on the inhabitants.

A Mausoleum for Nasir

It's a beautiful gesture to dedicate a mausoleum to Ibrahim Nasir, the father of modern Maldives and its independence hero. From a distance, the monument erected in the eastern courtyard of Male's Friday Mosque looks beautiful too. But only from a distance. When one gets closer, the quality of the workmanship leaves much to be desired and compares very unfavorably with the stone carvings in the mausoleum of King Ibrahim Iskandharu in the western courtyard.

For environmental reasons one could understand why coral stone is no longer a suitable material for a mausoleum. But surely something more suitable than concrete could have been found, perhaps limestone, marble or even slate. The material actually used is concrete, cast on fiberglass moulds.

When one looks at the assembled structure, individual blocks are out of alignment by as much as a couple of inches. Because of this, straight lines on the carved design look wavy, and the curves are interrupted.

For some odd and unexplained reason, a news reporter has asked an official from Islamic Ministry what he thought of the mausoleum. His enigmatic reply was, "No shrine has been made and no shrine will be allowed to be made." [No one has said this reply resembled the statement of Mohamed Saeed al-Sahaf, the Iraqi Information Minister during the American invasion, "There are no American infidels in Baghdad. Never! They're not even within 100 miles of Baghdad. They are not in any place."]

Architect of Modern Maldives Ibrahim Nasir Passes Away

Maldives Independence hero and the man widely regarded as the architect of modern Maldives, Ibrahim Nasir Rannabandeyri Kilegefaanu, died in a Singapore hospital yesterday evening. He was 82 years old and was survived by 3 ex-wives, 2 sons and a daughter.

Born in 1926 in the island of Fuvahmulah and educated in Sri Lanka, Nasir became Prime Minister of Maldives in 1957 during the Southern Crisis. He became President on 11 November 1968 when Maldives became a republic for the second time. After completing 2 terms as President in 1978 Nasir handed over power peacefully in a unique display of democratic norms.

Nasir's greatest service to the nation, and the deed that ensures him a place of honor in history, is gaining independence for the Maldives from Great Britain on July 26, 1965. While settling the Southern rebellion was also notable, it was marred by human rights abuses.

Nasir's other services to the Maldives include:

1. Starting English medium education (1960)
   


2. Starting A level education (1976)
   


3. Initiating the Atoll Education Center project and opening the first center (Eydafushi, 1978)
   


4. Starting nurses training (1963)
   


5. Opening health centers in all atolls (starting with Naifaru, 1965)
   


6. Opening the first modern hospital (1967)
   


7. Building the first airport (1966)
   


8. Starting tourism (1972)
   


9. Establishing the first radio station (1962)
   


10. Establishing the first TV station (1978)
    

[Note: Nasir's services are too many to be accurately listed in full. A 20-year period of rule would obviously have negative aspects too. However, it is not customary to dwell on those aspects in an obituary note.]

Law on Privileges for Ex-Presidents Runs into Stormy Weather

The bill on Immunity and Privileges for Ex-Presidents, presented to the People’s Majlis by Meemu Atoll Member Aneesa has come for severe criticism from MPs. Most members who spoke on the bill appear to believe it was designed to give excessive privileges to a particular person. Such a view is at least partially justified considering that former president Ibrahim Nasir has lived for 30 years without any such privileges and no one appeared to be concerned about that.

One clause in the bill came for particularly harsh treatment –clause 2(b) that proposed to designate a ‘senior most state dignitary’ based on the number of years served as president. Members said this was a thinly veiled attempt to designate Maumoon to that position, because with his 30 years of service there was no possibility of anyone ever outdoing him. Other members thought designating an ex-president as the senior most dignitary infringed on the privileges of the incumbent president.

Members also criticized the proposal to give a house to each ex-president. Instead they proposed to give a living allowance and to allot a plot of land for those who did not own a house.
On the question of allotting staff for research, some members felt the government must not foot the bill for personal research, while research commissioned by the government could be paid. Similarly the number of personal staff could be reduced from 10 to 5 they suggested.

Most members also rejected the idea of paying to ex-presidents the same salary as incumbent presidents. Following this, the sponsor of the bill Aneesa downgraded the salary to three quarters of an incumbent president’s salary. On the question of providing security too, members felt that ex-presidents do not require the same level of security as incumbents.
The open-budget holiday package proposed in the bill was also severely criticized. Instead, members suggested a limited budget of $12,000 to $15,000 for the purpose.

The Majlis debate on the bill is still continuing and is likely to go to a committee. In the meanwhile President Nasheed has by decree sanctioned temporary immunity and privileges to former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

Learning from History

By Farooq Mohamed Hassan

They say history repeats itself. I hope it doesn't. Even as I write this short article, I know people are queuing up to take Maumoon to court. More than 30 years ago, the then President Ibrahim Nasir had to banish Maumoon for using religion to incite violence against the state, and of course his government.

What has transpired in the past 10 days or so following the presidential election results of October 2008 may seem trivial, but portentous in reality. First, the attempt to delay the announcement of the election results, then a court order for the President-elect to appear in court, followed by a wave of promotions, contract signings, handshakes, and oh yes! – the Bill Ms. Aneesa submitted to the Majlis. This carefully orchestrated melodrama showcased Maumoon's true egocentric character more than anything else. I for one, thought that as soon as the election dust settles, Maumoon's babbling would fade away and his erratic behavior would also grind to a halt. But they didn't.

Surprised? No. What else can one expect from a man who for the past 30 years led a government in which the rhetoric and stagecraft of planning often took the place of real planning, other than acting like the stereotypical old-fashioned godfather that he once used to be, and continue to play his old pranks, repeating his fork-tongued pledges, giving promotions to his cronies and signing huge and lucrative contracts that he would never be able to implement?

But mind you, all this is not going to be without a price. Aware and mindful of the growing public resentment over Maumoon's arrogance in the face of defeat, MDP leadership appeared to have finally decided that it cannot shy away from its responsibility and simply sit and do nothing. Last Friday night, MDP's Chairperson, Ms. Maria Ahmed Didi 'fired' what appeared to be the first 'warning shot' over Maumoon's head. It was a reminder that his every move is being watched carefully. Speaking to the huge audience gathered at the artificial beach area to mark the MDP-Iththihaadhu's election victory, Ms. Maria was sharp and blunt. She delivered a strong and powerful message to the out-going president. She warned Maumoon not to take advantage of the goodwill and patience of the victors. She also warned him that the victors are fully aware of the motives behind his irresponsible and unjustifiable behavior and actions, and that the victors are not unmindful of those actions.

Observing these events from Xiamen, PRC, it appears to me that Maumoon is pathetically out of touch with reality. How else can you explain his irrational behavior?

I just wonder would it not be better for Maumoon to devise a sound and effective exit strategy: stop displaying his disdain and arrogance towards the victors, show a bit of good-will, and cooperate more fully with the incoming government. Unfortunately, in spite of the olive branch Mr. Nasheed has extended to Maumoon, he seems reluctant to take it. Former President Ibrahim Nasir offered him several such olive branches before he took action against Maumoon. Maumoon seems not to have learned any lesson. Unlike president Nasir and president Maumoon, president Nasheed would have no control or influence over the affairs of the judiciary and the Majlis. And so, Maumoon must understand that what is at stake for him this time around is indeed much higher.

Finally, whatever Maumoon or his sympathizers may think of what appears in the print media, one thing is certain: History will be harsh in its judgments of Maumoon and his administration. What Maumoon and his supporters should concern themselves about is not so much to find out whether history repeats itself but to learn from history before it is too late.

"Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it." –George Santayana

[Faarooq Mohamed Hassan is a former shadow cabinet member of MDP and is also the Deputy Director General of the Environment Research Center.]

A Home for Ibrahim Nasir?

The person disparagingly referred to as 'Velaanaagey Ibrahim Nasir' no longer owns Velaanaage. In fact, former President Ibrahim Nasir no longer owns any house in the Maldives, which he freed from British Colonialism in 1965. However, if a bill recently presented by Meemu Atoll Member Aneesa Ahmed to the Majlis is passed, Nasir is likely to get a house after 30 years of being homeless.

Nasir belongs to the dynastic house, 'Velaanaage', founded by his great grandfather Malingey Hassan Velaanaa Manikufaanu at the beginning of 20^th Century. Descendents of Velaanaage Dynasty include former Vice President Ibrahim Mohammed Didi, President Ibrahim Nasir, Prime Minister Ahmed Zaki and current Defense Minister Ismail Shafeeu.

Velaanaage was legally expropriated in the 1990s and was demolished. Today a 15-story office complex is coming up in the plot of land, which happens to be in a prime location of Male.

With the passage of the bill Nasir will also get security befitting an ex-president after living in exile for 30 years. Nasir left the Maldives soon after relinquishing power in 1978 because he felt it was not safe to live in the country. His fears appear justified when one recalls what happened to his sons Mohamed Nasir and Ali Nasir and how his cabinet ministers were abused and paraded along the streets of Male. Earlier a former president Mohamed Ameen was lynched by an angry mob in 1953 (see photo above).

The bill currently in the Majlis is expected to close a sordid chapter in the history of Maldives. After that the door will be open for Nasir to return to the Maldives and live in safety. However, given his advanced age and ailing health it is uncertain how long he will be able to enjoy the opportunity.

But one thing is certain. No Maldivian living today would want to see an ex-president suffering for 30 years the way Nasir suffered his years in exile.

Will Gayoom get Immunity from Prosecution?

We have seen a former head of state, Mohamed Fareed, and a former head of government, Ibrahim Faamuladeyri Kilegefaanu, living in Male with respect and dignity during the 1960s. They could do so because their successor Ibrahim Nasir gave them the chance. But what did Nasir get in return for this good gesture? He was hounded out of Maldives. Perhaps those who did it then would now be wishing they hadn't. Today there is another change of guard at the Presidential Palace. Will history repeat itself?

Hopefully the new generation of Maldivians would prove to be more civilized in this respect. Already there are good signs. President Elect Mohamed Nasheed has said outgoing President Gayoom would be given facilities befitting an ex-president.

However an important question remains unanswered. What would happen to all cases of alleged corruption and abuse of power by Gayoom and his close associates? Would President Nasheed given an amnesty to Gayoom? There are doubts if the Constitution of Maldives empowers the President to do that. Article 115 (s) of the Constitution only gives him the power "to grant pardons or reductions of sentence as provided by law, to persons convicted of a criminal offence who have no further right of appeal." So, unless Gayoom is convicted it would appear that President Nasheed will not be able pardon him.

Under the Constitution, the responsibility to prosecute criminal activity is vested in the Prosecutor General. Article 115 (f) gives him the responsibility "to order any investigation that he deems desirable into complaints of criminal activity or into any other criminal activity of which he becomes aware." Clause (h) allows him "to review or revert any decision to prosecute or not to prosecute any alleged offender, or to discontinue any prosecution."

Thus it would appear that it is not the President, but the Prosecutor General who could take a decision on the matter. But can any of them stop an aggrieved citizen from taking Gayoom to court?