I’ve been too far removed from the turbulence and chaos at the heart of the political “crisis” in the Maldives to make an informed comment. Therefore I’ve remained silent. This post is by no means a return to comment or an indication that I’m now somehow informed and aware of the contents in the boiling-pot of politics in Maldives.
It is interesting that in the many years of my writing on this blog the most peaceful and, dare I say, safest period were the years prior to the 2008 election. Yes, the Gayoom years. Back then I wrote quite fiercely critical of Gayoom himself and his politics and wrote fearlessly and openly about religion. But things changed with the arrival of “democracy” under Anni.
Just few short months after the election that lead to “new heights” of democracy, on March 19th 2009 to be precise, access to my blog was blocked on the order of the Communications Authority of the Maldives at the behest of the newly formed Council of the Religious Dingbats – otherwise popularly known as the Islamic Ministry.
In my opinion, two of Anni’s biggest mistakes during the foundation of his administration were the establishment of the said ministry and his “romantic ideas of how to deal with” Gayoom. These so-called ideas were arguably ascertained from the pages of How to Deal Romantically with Dictators for Dummies - read mostly by dictators as they admire themselves in mirrors. If you know what I mean.
More to the point, as Anni’s years in power progressed so did the freedoms enjoyed by open and vocal writers regress. A resurgence or rather an invasion of radicalized and conservative form of religion took foothold and by the end to his regime the level of xenophobia, unrest and religious intolerance and fear had ballooned out of control. On hindsight, the whole thing might have been an act of brilliant public opinion influencing and manipulation by Gayoom. Who knows? The old codger is as sly as he is vile.
I suppose I might have expected the increase in religious conservatism to impact society positively. Perhaps there would be less crime, I thought. Maybe a complete disappearance of social vices: drugs, alcohol and sex out of wedlock. Instead, a booming headscarf and burqa market established right next to the market for paid sex, alcohol and drugs.
Anni’s administration was marred by corruption as well as mismanagement debacles. That is to be expected when you live in South Asia, you know. It’s the ghetto mentality and the crazy monsoons. Here Anni is as much an asshole as Rajapaksha is a red-winged angel, depending on who you ask.
If you ask me I will tell you that there will be two assholes competing in a forthcoming election (if there is to be one). One asshole will be Anni. The other will be appointed by Gayoom – unless he can get to bathe in the blood of 20 virgins before the elections (to maintain youthful appearance at the age of 845 and all that). In which case, he himself will face off Anni.
And if you ask me who I will vote for in this election, the answer will be that despite all the shortcomings and my grudges against him I will vote for Anni – for he is still the better asshole.
Very well said, anni needs to do a better job than this!!! The democracy he created only took us backward when he supported radicalism. There is no place for independent thinking. If he should win he needs to consider his mistakes n stop being so romantic with the dictators as well as the mullahs! Save that for first lady laila…hehe
There is one universal truth, all assholes smell. Or is it smelling assholes, or assholes smelling. What the heck, its all the same shit nah!
Love your writing style, great to see you back.
Anni seemed aware that freedom of expression was being abused by extremists yet I wonder why he was unable to deal with it during his time. Can Waheed then deal with it too?
“At the same time, new laws guaranteeing freedom of speech were abused by a new force in Maldivian politics: Islamic extremists. The former president’s cabinet members threw anti-Semitic and anti-Christian slurs at my government, branding as apostates anyone who tried to defend the country’s liberal Islamic traditions and claiming that democracy granted them and their allies license to call for violent jihad and indulge in hate speech.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/08/opinion/in-the-maldives-strangled-democracy.html?_r=2
Pretty much enjoy reading your post, and a great statement by the way. “I will vote for Anni – for he is still the better asshole.”
Loved the article, but I can’t agree Anni is an asshole. I believe Anni genuinely wants a better life for all of us and wanted to do many good things for us, and in fact did implement and start many good projects. He is also the most liberal person we can get, but he came to power with some really heavy excess religious baggage.
By the time Anni came to power Maumoon and his cronies were heavily involved in a smear campaign against Anni using religion. Fabricated pictures of Anni wearing a cross around his neck were circulated as well as calling him “ganjabo” and other various stories about how he’s involved in the most taboo sin – drinking alcohol – and his “ties” with christian missionaries and jews, amongst other things. After coming to power his hands were tied as far as the religion side of things were concerned. The Islamic ministry took full advantage of it. At the same time the opposition didn’t relent on their religious propaganda against Anni. It’s either Anni go against the extreme Adhaalath, or go with them. And we all know what happens if he did either. When he did go along with Adhaalath, things like ur website and stuff got blocked. When he went against them, he got ousted by a coup. lol!
anni had no choice in making the alliance with adhaalath. it was part of the formula that was needed to beat maumoon. the thing is that ‘romantic ideas’ of his.