Thoughts on election, president, president-elect
November 11th is approaching and so perhaps it is a most opportune moment to reflect on the run-up to the election and the result.
What was noticeable in this election was the vast numbers of young people, those who were 18 or little older, that turned out to vote. The important milestone that lead to this was the bill that allowed the change of voting age to become 18 and above. That was, in my opinion, one of the most devastating factors that got the numbers running against Gayoom.
For many this election was never about who could run the country best or who could offer the most promising vision of the future. Yes, that was there too. But it was almost entirely about a change and this was evident in the second round when the Vote for Change campaign really took off and gave momentum to the movement. No, this election wasn't about any particular person being better than the other. Everyone knew this, including the competing parties. Except perhaps DRP. As I said in a previous post, I would vote for a doormat but never Gayoom.
The DRP comedy show
Based on the election results I strongly believe Gayoom could have pulled this off had he played out his campaign cards professionally. The fact is, the DRP campaign bandwagon was increasingly become the spectacle of ridicule and shame even amongst their most faithful followers.
Enter the DRP media team headed by that most interesting character, Mr. Ali Waheed. Throughout the campaign I made a point to actually watch their press-briefings even as I carelessly ignored most MDP briefings. I could say I even looked forward to the DRP briefs. DRP press briefings were right there at the top of those really cringe-inducing episodes of The Office (UK). Gut-wrenching comedy, horrendous irony, terrible antics and manners and fluid, disgusting rhetoric. Ricky Gervais move aside for here comes Ali Waheed!
The DRP media team should seriously think about writing for and appearing on such a TV series. It could be a sellout.
Back to the point. I have not met anyone who did not think it was Ali Waheed and his team of cranky knobs that helped to lose the election for the poor codger Gayoom. I suppose they thought that Dhivehin would never vote-in anyone else, let along Anni, in a duel with Gayoom, whatever poppycock they cooked-up.
Anni, the very ordinary
So now we have our 4th president waiting in line to be sworn-in. I should add that Barack Obama will be the 44th president of the USA - another similarity of sorts. Anyway, so people say that president-elect Nasheed is a drunkard, dribbles from the corners of his mouth, etc, etc, - in other words, Nasheed has neither the character or personality nor does he have the charisma and appearance to be president. I would like to have those of you who say this know that it is utterly unconstitutional to say that. Nowhere in the constitution does it paint the caricature of Gayoom as the most preferred type of president.
I believe leaders are created. They are created from the fusion of circumstance and environment. Perhaps it is 30 years of Gayoom rule that is clouding our mind and memory. If we go back to when Gayoom was sworn-in we find that he was armed while taking oath. There is evidence in the form of Gayoom admitting in an interview that indeed he was armed and indeed it could be interpreted as being unconstitutional and therefore invalid.
Now, was Gayoom being a great leader or a regular terrorist when he was sworn-in? Was Gayoom being a great leader or an ego-maniacal nincompoop to admit in that interview that indeed he was armed? He was the latter in both cases for sure. Comedy has a way, no? Gayoom was never a great leader when he hijacked this country in a mockery of our intellect. So what circumstance and what environment was there that was conducive for creating a great leader out of Gayoom? Not much as he created everything out of the fear of those he served: the people of Dhivehi Raaje, Dhivehin.
President-elect Nasheed on other hand has the opportunity to show what a great, people's leader looks like. Unlike Gayoom who had a running start triggered by a hand-gun, Nasheed will have something more powerful: the undeniable acceptance of the majority.
The inevitable
Mark my words, Mohamed Nasheed "Anni", that ordinary guy who dribbles from the corners of his mouth, will, as time goes by, become a loved, respected and super-star personality the likes of who this country has never seen before. Why? The new, younger generation of Dhivehin know how to do that in style, they love their hero and they are sick of pasty-faced wrinkly geriatrics in high places. Gayoom and his supporters can shut up and eat your hearts out. The future belongs to the people!
thadu | November 9, 2008 6:41 AM | Reply
Anni might be ordinary, he might have been a 'street kid'. And if we think about it, the whole young generation of this country are street kids! On the other hand Maumoon is way above the average. A good leader is someone who could and who is capable of understanding what the people need. Not someone who does not see it! The one reason why I decided not to vote Maumoon is because he never accepted that Maldives need a change, and even in one of his last interview, said that Maldives is perfect and would not want to change anything had he been re-elected.
Like you have mentioned Anni would "be a loved, respected and super-star.."
Hilath Rasheed | November 9, 2008 8:48 AM | Reply
Another blogger rightly commented why we have this particular perception of what "Presidential qualities" are supposed to be.
I think he was right when he said that over 30 years Gayoom had created a perception that this is what a President has to look like: "abui", with an aura of "bodaakan", etc, etc.
So now most of our generations think that because Anni is like a natural human being, he doesn't have Presidential quality or he is not Presidential material.
At first I was also duped into thinking like that. But now that I think about it, why be expressionless or put on fake expressions as if acting in front of an audience rather than relating humanly to the people who voted for you?
I am hoping that Anni will change the class consciousness in Maldives as well. The idea of "Beyfulhu-ness" and the use of "Beyfulhu" language.
I mean I don't believe we have to use words like "vidhaalhuvun". If said in the right tone of voice, a phrase like "Anni bunee mihen hadhaashay..." does not sound rude and can sound respectful. So in Dhivehi language its not words but the tone of voice which can create an air of respect or disrespect.
Anyway, since Anni over the past 5 years had been a people's person, going into crowds, shaking hands, and talking ordinarily with people, I hope he will maintain this, and for once get rid of this class consciousness in Maldives society so that we as a people can relate to one another regardless of our status, blood line, the amount of money we make, etc.
And on a lighter note, I have come across many senior government workers who are married to each other but still address each other in "Beyfulhu" language. I had a friend who even addressed his kid brother in "Beyfulhu" language. This is beyond my comprehension. I mean, in the case of husband and wife, how do you scream in "Beyfulhu" language at the point when you reach orgasm?!
As it happens I was never taught this beyfulhu language as a kid and I have great difficulty in speaking this way and also be in the receiving end of such speak. I think it is best to just politely say that you prefer not to talk in beyfulhu dialect and continue using good ol' Dhivehi bas.
As for Gayoom, the guy has been reduced from the "great 5 years" to "do whatever I can in the next 5 days". What a sorry, sad little man.
Mr.Karma | November 9, 2008 9:36 AM | Reply
Its very true that every time the DRP press crew went on TV, it was one of the most amusing and stupid things I saw during the DRP campaign. I actually miss it, its boring without this Ali Waheed out of the scene. Every time I saw him I wondered "oh man,..who the hell is this?", and I could hear sarcastic laughter ringing in my head. Some one remarked that he was a class mate of Gayyoom's son Gassaan. Most probably been a theemuge' boy in his growing up days, otherwise its hard to imagine some one could be that stupid and unprofessional.
I always wanted a punching bag to hang in my room. So I could do a bit of exercise and vent out any excess energy, I heard its a good work out both physically and mentally. But I have not been able to find one in Male'. Until I saw the DRP press conferences. I find Ali Waheed got the size and is of the right material ideal for a punching bag. Don't you all agree? I would love to hang him in room.
mh | November 9, 2008 11:40 AM | Reply
Lets see how all this will unfold.
subcorpus | November 9, 2008 12:14 PM | Reply
i have never seen anni dribbling from the corners of his mouth ...
and i thought i had seen him enough on TV ...
hakeem | November 9, 2008 2:00 PM | Reply
Ali Waheed was the main entertainer during election. He tore newspapers during press conferences and argued with the journalists. What a scene. But he was not a classmate of Gayoom's son Ghassan. That is a story spread by that fake and utterly hypocritical website Himeyn Ingilaab. 50% of the stories in that website are fake. But Ali Waheed is very close to the palace.
Maumoon Lover | November 9, 2008 11:51 PM | Reply
"Mark my words, Mohamed Nasheed "Anni", that ordinary guy who dribbles from the corners of his mouth, will, as time goes by, become a loved, respected and super-star personality the likes of who this country has never seen before."
Very soon you are going to eat those words! Anni has already failed by becoming party to selecting one of the most incompetent cabinets in the history of the Maldives. In some areas even worse than the selection that Maumoon used to come up with. The cabinet selection and the members reek of something extremely bad!!!
Keep this comment Simon. When the time comes, I'll tell you "I told you so!" - and it's going to be sooner rather than later.
Anni was fantastic in delivering the Maldivians to the freedom and this point but since taking up the presidency I see him as nothing but a failure.
Just how do you justify Sawad, Jameel, Shaheed!!!!
Might be worthwhile to stay in the activist business. As for me I already regret voting for Anni. I'm beginning to become a Maumoon lover already.
Maumoon Lover,
All the future failures of Anni that we MAY witness and all the corrupt dealings he WILL be involved in that future simply does not justify anyone to sink so low and be reduced to such a despicable state of depravity as to start loving Gayoom who has a 30 year portfolio of corruption and failures behind him.
We are at a point not even a month after elections and Anni has not even been sworn-in. Where I see the need to let positive change and optimism to prevail you seem to be up to your nose in suspicion and negativity going so far as to start loving the very person you helped to oust and actually regretting doing so. Even if Anni isn't doing everything YOU to your liking is it any reason to wish for proven evil? How do you explain yourself?
People like you make me sick, "Maumoon Lover".
Maumoon Lover | November 10, 2008 1:32 AM | Reply
Because "Proven Evil" may yet be our salvation from an Evil that may become our darkest hour with an even more unimaginable darker evil. Capice? Guess not! You sometimes can be so naive for someone who seem to understand everything more than most.
Understand that Maldives undoing will be not directly because of Anni. But very much so because of his actions as well. A cabinet corrupt to the core!!! Do you see a pattern of manipulation here? And mismanagement already? When this happens who do you blame?
Just keep the comment Simon. Let's see how history judges this. And in a not too distance future either.
No, I do not "capice". I do not understand your dense logic. But I can imagine this is the twisted reasoning that Gayoom and his gang wants to popularize and propagate. That the evil to come "may" be greater than the evil that was the past 30 years. That unspeakable corruption of the new administration "could" be even worse. I'm already scared out of wits!
Such arguments are baseless just by being, well, devoid of any evidence and being based on assumptions. It is sort of like saying that I should disown my son because, well, he "may" become criminally insane in the future.
You fail to recognise that today we have a new system in place with a new constitution and new watchdogs watching. And today Dhivehin have shown that they are more awake and aware than what Gayoom has lead us to believe.
Or perhaps he was talking about you.
And even if the current Administration does fail to deliver are you suggesting that the only alternative available is to go back begging (and loving) to that bastard Gayoom and his criminals? For "salvation"? Are you insane? No, seriously, are you?
Wisham | November 10, 2008 3:39 AM | Reply
He hasn't even been sworn in yet, but some have already thrown away there logic, and started running after the Great Leader! Wonder how its gonna be in the coming years!
I don't like the make of of the cabinet which is gonna be sworn in! One area of disappointment is how Gasim and his JP crooks were served the tourism portfolio on a silver plate! It might have been a political decision, but a bad decision it is!
But as Simon puts it, we have a new system in place! Already the Auditor General has bared his teeth, the rest of the independent commissions and watchdogs will soon follow! Though Anni failed his first litmus test, lets keep out fingers crossed, that he will not fail us! Anni has the potential to deliver, he just needs time! Meanwhile let us all keep eyes and pockets open for the extra notes of 500 RF, coming our way, as promised by Anni's mouth piece, Zaki!
Maumoon Lover | November 10, 2008 5:03 AM | Reply
Man, you are one dumb fukc Simon! And don't take that just as an insult or name calling from me because you're in disagreement with me. I said that 'cas I mean that. I just fail to see this blind faith you have in one man and such a corrupt system already coming into place - and ignoring the fact that this is no better (in fact much worse) than what Maumoon used to have.
Watchdogs and systems in place indeed!!! What a load of crap. With this system and with these watchdogs already in place look at the stupid bills that are being passed in the parliament. And how do you justify the love/drama that Anni and Maumoon are showing to the public? How do you justify this new system that is coming into place such as the new Ministry of whatwasit Islamic Affairs? Taliban and religious police? Starting to see the bigger picture now? Starting to see that Maumoon was more "moderate" infact?
Anni is just a puppet in the grand scheme of the messed up evil that is going to occupy Maldives. Very soon everyone will be fighting for a "cabinet seat" - that's the next 3 months. Now how is this all effecting the poor chap in the faraway corner of the Maldives.
And when you talk of the "new" constitution, ask yourself? Is it that much better? Does it really give us that much freedom with the "system of Shariah" in between every 2 lines.
I don't really need to see this as a soothsayers saying. It's much too clearer than that. But then you seem to be lost with this new "change" - can understand why you do not "capice" just yet.
Simon | November 10, 2008 9:00 AM | Reply
Maumoon Lover,
I do not have blind faith in anyone. And I mean anyone. On the other hand I do have hope, albeit, cautious hope.
There is no "fact" available to suggest that the cabinet is no better or worse than what Gayoom has had before. Why? Simply because the cabinet has not started operating yet. While everyone, include me, is cautious and looks at the cabinet with skepticism the "fact" is that we have to give this a chance to work out or even fail.
Simply because we don't like the cabinet selection does not mean we have to start cooking up conspiracies and renewing our love affair with Gayoom. That is just very absurd, don't you think?
Why do you insult the work that is done at the parliament? It was parliaments bills alone that has a single hand in bringing down Gayoom's regime. It will bring down any other regime even faster.
We have to remember that we are at the infancy of democracy and our economy is in shambles. Let it have time to grow and mature before we start breaking a cold sweat in fear. That is just paranoia.
You said: "And how do you justify the love/drama that Anni and Maumoon are showing to the public?"
Do you want Anni to go at Gayoom's throat now that he can? I believe it was Anni shaping his career and fitting into the shoes of presidency that he called for forgiveness. As for drama from Gayoom, he's the new kasoati zindagi. What else? That's what Gayoom wants: the sympathy of people.
I have said that Anni's conduct disturbs me but I am willing to give him the chance to prove that he can transform in person and this country both.
I have always been skeptical about the role that a coalition government might have in terms of power it may give to the religious right. I have talked about the shortcomings of the constitution and also highlighted my concern for voting Anni based on these facts. The article is here.
What is this "grand scheme" of things? This really amuses me. These two words, the "grand scheme" of things. You find these in conspiracy theories and religion texts. It is such a wague concept. The "grand scheme" of Gayoom's ass, more like.
There might be a fight for the "cabinet seat". Who cares? Let's get policies in place that will benefit the common man.
I have talked at length about the new constitution at various times in various posts. The fact remains that a lot needs to be done in terms of civil liberties and their frictions with religious views. I am sure these will come to pass as more and more people of other faiths come out to demand their rights.
The concept of democracy that Anni and the country as a whole is pushing forward is incompatible with the concept of Islamic law and Shariah. In the end Anni will either be brought down by the religious far-right, which I hardly doubt as it looks like the religious far-right in the parliament and the cabinet both are very thin in constituency.
Do you know what I really think? I think you voted for Gayoom and you are parttaking in spreading some sort of doomsday scenario or conspiracy theory surrouding the new administration. You are just bitter about the election results. How about that for a theory?
How else do you explain your stand? Salvation in Gayoom? Oh please.
The differenc between you and people like me is that I have always had concerns but I am willing to give this a chance. You, I think you are watching too much TV.
Vaa nuvaa | November 10, 2008 9:57 AM | Reply
Simon,
Do you honestly believe gasim ibrahim deserves a seat in the cabinet? He has been working for one goal, which has something to do with more freedom for him to carry on with his business in Maldives. Seems like he has gotten part of it already. MDP are thinking about giving ownership of land to businessmen.
Now we wait and see how long a lease gasim will get on those islands he owns.
When all this happens, wonder when he will get time to concentrate on home affairs? Would he pull more strings, make our livelihoods a bit more crappier than it is, just so that he can go on doing what he does.
That guy is lost. He should never ever face a crowd and give a speech. Sad that he doesn't still see how incapable he is. And sad that our new charismatic leader failed to see what he was about to do. Supporting him was the one thing gasim had to do to get into the cabinet, and it was the same case during maumoons time.
So wheres the change?
Simon | November 10, 2008 11:11 AM | Reply
Hello Vaa nuvaa,
I do not accept the portfolios of the following people off hand:
1. Gasim
2. Sawad
3. Dentist
4. Ameen Faisal
5. Dhiyana
6. Majeed
No matter what, this is not the end of the story. No one can make everyone happy. Not even Anni and MDP. The important thing here is to realize that we made a choice when faced with: do we elect the proven evil or do we support the coalition - an evil in the making.
We voted for the coalition mainly because we wanted to see change. Now, whether this change is good or bad remains to be seen. One thing is very clear, we now have several liberties such as freedom of expression and separation of powers to put a form of checks and balances in place. So we did not make the wrong choice.
We just made the best choice and we knew people like Gasim were tagging along.
All this is no reason for one to wish for Gayoom to be back like he's some sort of a Godsend messiah that will save us. That would be suicide.
Vaa nuvaa | November 10, 2008 11:40 AM | Reply
So almost half the cabinet is screwed up. Shows some sort of incompetency in the coalition right?
The thing we need to understand is that running a country is not an experiment. When the damage is done, reverting it back will take longer and tedious undertakings. We know that the base of the force that is going to lead the people is weak, yet we are waiting to see what happens, isn't that sort of suicidal too? When we know that they are weak, yet we praise the person who elected them and say that the others can eat their hearts out, isn't that a bit arrogant?
I am not saying that putting maumoon back was the ideal choice. But from the way you talk about Anni and him being the guy who will give justice to all, it seems like you are rather confident that this guy will not fail us. Surely he has failed in finding the right people for the very important pillars of the country.
And so it begins. The great experiment of the making of a country. Sad part is, people can't afford to see what happens to a country and then change it when things go wrong. Ooh and it has gone horribly wrong at the very beginning. Will Simon live happily ever after? Will he stand by his words? Time will tell...
Vaa nuvaa,
Screwed up in our opinion. I believe that cabinet portfolios must be held by people who are not necessarily experts in the field of their given portfolio but by people who are visionaries and who are progressive. Their job will require them to consult the experts. This was not seen in the past in Gayoom's administration. This may account to some of the skepticism we're seeing today towards Anni's cabinet. We simply don't know these people.
I am not saying Anni won't fail us or that he will be perfect. But Anni, being at the top position that he is, has the power to restructure that cabinet list along the way, doesn't he? I am confident that he will deliver on most of his promises. If we now turn our back and start doubting him, aren't we ultimately stepping on our own knobs? Let us give the guy some time. I mean, he has not even been sworn-in yet and there is mountains to conquer. Mountains of shit left by Gayoom, of course.
Ultimately, Vaa nuvaa, it really is an experiment. How could it not be an experiment when we've broken free from 3 decades of dictatorship and are embracing democracy. As I said, we're in mere infancy as a nation. Yes, you are spot on, it is an experiment. And there is no turning back. People have not been able to afford to do a lot of things in the past.
Hopefully, this new admin will change that.
Yaamyn | November 11, 2008 12:38 AM | Reply
I think the problem is that some people want to go to bed tonight in the Maldives, and wake up tomorrow in Scandinavia.
For 30 years, we've been living an illusion - we're not even sure HOW much damage has been done yet! Undoing the damage, and putting in place a development process takes TIME.
I doubt ONE term or even TWO terms can solve all our problems.
But I definitely want the leaders to be people who are 1) CAPABLE and 2) WILLING to take us forward.
Even I don't think too highly of the Dentist or Gasim in their current portfolios. And I sure as hell am uncomfortable with the appointment of the Sheikh to the helm of 'Islamic affairs'.
This is the guy who advocates death penalty for apostasy, and if given a free hand will turn us into Jurassic Park.
If we put the poll numbers - Gayyoom's 40%, Anni's 25% and Hassan Saeed's 18%.. and Ibra's change, we have a very clear vote FOR moderate or liberal Islamic system. But now we have Adhaalath in control of that aspect of our lives.
It's all compromises. And yet we need progressive people leading the country to make the RIGHT CHOICES at the RIGHT TIMES.
I think Anni needs to be allowed to SERVE a term, and TAKE decisions before one can call him 'a failure'. I hope he leads all Dhivehin well!
Yaamyn | November 11, 2008 12:47 AM | Reply
And Yes, I do believe it was sort of unfair to give Gasim's coalition more seats than Hassan Saeed's
Still wonder how THAT came to happen!
Maumoon Lover | November 11, 2008 1:52 AM | Reply
Simon, the last few comments made more sense on your part - and I can see your skepticism as well. You just don't want to admit that this so called "change" you've always wished for looks like a doomsday clock too. One worse than what Maumoon used to carry.
Oh, and rest assured I did not vote for Maumoon. I JUST WISH I HAD NOW!!! There's a difference there.
One more thing. The poor chaps in the islands who are wishing day and night for something better in their lives cannot afford to let Anni and Coalition carry out stupid experiments. That's just absurd to even think about. Live by your words or just fuck the hell off. That's what I'd have to say to this new founded Anni & Co govt.
And Simon, you and I are more educated and open to the world affairs to just "give chances" to people. We see everything very openly today. Long standing democracies going forward and even messing up as well. It's simply idiotic to call ours a democracy in its infancy and go through all the trials and errors that everyone else has gone through. If you really believe that then I suppose there is no hope ever for the pathetic Maldivian slob living off less than a couple dollars a day.
And why is it that whenever Maumoon goes a bit teary eyed you seem to see that as another great act on his part to win the sympathy of the Maldivians. But when Anni goes all "lover boy" with Maumoon that's OK for you. That's a bit hypocritical don't you think?
BTW: This "Nishaan Izzudheen" thing was hilarious. Maumoon made another funny!!! Now how do you fault this guy???