Talking Point

The Oracle says this: “a blogger has come to the conclusion that a certain Mr Hill is behind your blog. I have also noticed a suspicious pattern in the way your Ministry is using the blogosphere to promote Gayoom’s so-called reform agenda and the way you are using your blog to promote yourself. When I am on the toilet seat, a time when I see patterns out of the daily confusion, I often wonder if all this is not part of a sinister game plan devised by an infamous public relations firm from UK; a firm I would rather not mention here because they are associated with the devil and in our superstition it is not wise to name evil spirits.

In his Open Letter addressed to me, the Oracle goes on to say this:

“After you became the Minister of Information you have supposedly made some announcements which earned ridicule from the public. One such announcement is bringing TVM to the level of BBC within 100 days. I know that you have always been overambitious but the appointment as Minister must have changed your character to such an extent that you failed to distinguish between logic and fantasy.”

If I were to respond in one word, I would say that the 100 day episode was a “misquotation”. If I were to respond in one sentence I would say that “what I said was seriously twisted to be used as political rhetoric”. If I were to respond in one post, I would say that here is the story of my first 100 days in office.

Maldives Met Office has just issued a warning that the seas of Maldives may experience rising waters this Saturday, 2 June 2007.

The rise in the Maldivian waters is estimated to be between five and seven feet high. The phenomenon is apparently due to a cyclone system that is dissipating some three thousand miles away from the north-south direction of Maldives.

According to the Maldives Met Chief, the country is not expected to experience the intensity in swells as experienced during May 15-18. Reasons: the May swells came during the period Maldives expected highest levels in tides this year; and the intensity of the current storm is lower than the previous one.

Met Office cautions people living across the Maldives Islands to be watchful of the rising water levels during High Tide. It is expected that High Tide will reach northern atolls at 1.32pm; central atolls at 2.09pm; southern atolls at 2.43 pm.

Met Office has subsequently clarified that the Maldivian waters rising between five and seven feet need not mean that the islands will experience same height of swells. According to Met Chief Algeen, it simply means that water levels in the Maldivian seas would rise to that level.

Already, four islands in Gaaf Dhaal, one island in Baa and one island in Haa Alif are reporting experience of swells. VOM and TVM are going for special coverage of the swells. Newscasters and reporters of both organisations stationed across the Maldives have been advised accordingly.

According to Algeen, the rising waters are expected to last for a three day period.

Q: Can you provide a public discussion forum on TV where different sects of Islam can meet to air their views and defend them?

A: Religion is very sensitive a topic in the Maldives. You know that. Everyone who speaks on issues fears backlashes of varying sorts and forms. The mood is almost bordering into fundamentalism or extremism on one side – and total withdrawal and quiet on the other side. In such circumstances to go straight into a discussion amongst the sects can be very difficult. There would be no starting point or cohesion. In the meantime, I am planning to take the discussion on women’s issues to radio and television and bring religious and sectional views into those issues. That could be a start. Slowly we can learn the art of tackling debates on extremely sensitive issues like society and religion. Let’s hope that I am able to start the discussion. At the moment I am finding it difficult to get people who would face the camera to speak about on these issues. I will start as soon as I get some courageous young boys and girls who could narrate their experiences and challenges in life on radio and television.

The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (“HRCM”) has published a report on the incidents on the island of Kin’bidhoo in Thaa Atoll. The report relates to events that occurred on the island on 29th March 2007. In fourteen pages of that twenty-page Report, HRCM deals with their findings on those events.

I have been asked through this blog for my comments on the report to the extent it relates to a reference to an apparently “misinforming” broadcast made by TVM in its 8 pm news bulletin on Kin’bidhoo events.

A woman nine months pregnant is screaming in pain at home. She is waiting for a friend of her husband. Husband’s friend has a car. She has a doctor’s appointment. She suspects she is having labor pains. Her husband is turning almost frantic. He quickly punches a few numbers on his prepaid mobile and sees if his friend was on the way. He has even tried a few times to take his wife to the hospital on his motorbike. He has asked for an ambulance. The friend’s car may still take a little while to arrive.

A public transport system is indeed a requirement in today’s Male’. I cannot agree more.

Strange it is, but in the year 2000, I wanted to start a public transport system. I did a survey. I engaged a firm. They came up with the proposal, the feasibility and the costing. We drew the routes and the stops. We secured 6 buses from Dubai. I had the finance. I had the mood.

Maldives woke up this morning to the shocking death of Muslih, an inmate at Maafushi Prison Facility. I was woken up early in the morning at the request of those who wanted to speak to me. When I switched on my phone, I had missed several calls and several text messages asking me to call back. None of the text messages told me the news or the story except one. That was a text from a friend who is serving life at Maafushi. Somehow he manages to text me once in a while and share his thoughts with me. Surprisingly he has even left a comment on this blog a few days back. In his sms this morning, he had briefly informed me of what had happened to Muslih. I went off balance. I did not know if it was the news of the death, or the sudden waking up from my sleep, that threw me off balance. The news but frightened me.

Maldivians familiar with the British form of government would have no problem understanding the fomal title of the British government and opposition and the concepts enshrined in those two terms.

According to Wikipedia, Her Majesty's Government, or when the Sovereign is male, His Majesty's Government, abbreviated HMG or HM Government, is the formal title used by the Government of the United Kingdom.

According to Wikipedia, Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition, or the Official Opposition in the United Kingdom is the largest opposition party in the House of Commons which will hold the Government to account.

The challenge is translating the formal title of the British Opposition into Dhivehi. It beats me. How would you say the following in Dhivehi?

"Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition"

Q [1] - Do you believe that the Maldives Constitution allows forming political parties? If not what is your stand in forming political parties under the current Constitution? Should it be amended or a new law passed?

A: Maldives Constitution as it is, does not bar the creation of political parties. Parties may be formed under Article 27 of the Constitution dealing with the right to form associations. However a slight issue arises. A political party is created primarily to form a government or oppose a government. This concept of a political party makes it fundamentally different from other associations and societies. When one relates this concept to the Maldives Constitution as it is, he or she would find that the model upon which the current Constitution is drafted, does not provide any role for political parties. In other words the Constitution is not developed to support a political system having the involvement of political parties. It does not contemplate an environment in which political parties would be allowed to function. Therefore, in my opinion, the vacuum will be filled not by simply allowing in the constitution for political parties to be created but by designing the provisions of the Constitution on a model or basis consistent with the functioning of political parties.

A blood donation week is launched today. The week long campaign is a joint drive for blood by the Department of Medical Services, IGM Hospital, National Thalassaemia Center, and the Maldivian Thalassaemia Society. The society is a non governmental organization of Thalassaemia patients, their parents and well wishers including doctors and nurses.

Finally a date has been decided by the Special Majlis to finish the constitutional review process. Today it resolved by an astounding majority that the revised draft constitution must be completed by the Special Majlis latest by 30th November 2007. The proposal was made by Dhiyana Saeed, an appointed member. It was seconded by Ahmed Hamza, an elected and independent member. When put to vote, it fetched 87 votes from 97 members present. That also with impossible - near perfect - spontaneity.

In the past two meetings of the Special Majlis my failure to attend the drafting committee except for only one of its meetings has been raised a few times. They all know why I have not been attending the committee. They raise it now only to undermine the credibility of an argument I raised in Majlis in the recent debate on expediting the constitution. I asked the members to take as a basic working draft that which is now produced by the drafting committee. I said that would help cut time on finishing the revision of the constitution.

A few days back I asked if we could translate the phrase “Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition” in to Dhivehi while keeping the sense it makes in English. I was accused of proposing riddles and creating diversions. I was not doing either. I have been doing some thinking about the word “Opposition” for a while now.

In the English language, especially in the context of politics and debate, the word “opposition” is an elegant word that imports nothing negative about it. “My worthy opponent” and “My learned opponent” are phrases we hear being used with charm and appeal.

Today marks yet another step forward in the direction of media reform in the Maldives. It may be one small step. Nevertheless, it is an important step that shall bring about meaningful change to the media landscape in the Maldives.

Three private broadcasters were issued this day, their broadcast licenses under an agreement with the Ministry of Information. The ceremony held at Seneko Radio Hall at the Voice of Maldives at 1230 pm this Thursday was a modest celebration of that small step. Asna Maldives will have a Male wide FM radio station. Maldives Media Company will operate a nation wide FM radio station. Atoll TV would have a nation wide television station.

Q [1] - The main newsbreak of this past week has been the hunger strike in Maafushi Jail and yet you have no post on this issue. May I ask why?

A: I was personally assisting Minister of Home Affairs Thasmeen Ali in his efforts to finding an end to the hunger strike. I did not think it appropriate for that reason to write about such sensitive a subject while the situation remained volatile. Developments occurred through out the period. Situation remained fluid through out the week. My writing about it could have made it difficult for the ongoing efforts to end the strike. Besides I had in depth information about the issues faced both by the government and inmates. It have created a serious conflict of interest for me to dwell on those issues publicly given the circumstances. That is why.

I went to Special Majlis today thinking that the day’s meeting will be short and focused. There was only one item on the agenda. Approving the tasks list drafted by the “Committee of Eleven” – a term I use here to refer to the committee of eleven members who were elected on 1 November 2006 in the 114th sitting of the Special Majlis to chart out a plan of action; draw up a tasks list that would lead the process of taking a referendum on the system of government to be installed in the Maldives.

This Monday, the Special Majlis Chair ended the day sending the Tasks List back to the Committee of Eleven for further consideration and review. The Tasks List contains the path envisaged by the Committee of Eleven to organize and carry out the referendum. The Committee of Eleven was formed earlier on 1 November 2006 to chart out the plan of action and identify the tasks to be carried out for having the referendum to decide the form of government to be installed in the Maldives. The Committee was created by Special Majlis in its 114th sitting.

Yesterday, when I was in the 153rd sitting of the Special Majlis, I got a neatly folded note written by an elected and popular member. It contained a proposal. It said this: “I propose to cancel the referendum and to allow the Special Majlis to decide the form of government.” The note was written by him personally and signed boldly as the seconder of a motion. The name of the proposer was written as Mohamed Nasheed. That is me. A slot was left blank in the note for my signature.

Broadcasting the Peoples Majlis and the Peoples Special Majlis has been a hot topic of discussion these few weeks. I have been quizzed on this blog a few times for my reaction. I have been quiet for several reasons. I wanted to understand the general pulse. I wanted to reflect on the issue. I wanted a policy formulated. I wanted to communicate that policy to parliament first. I have now come to a point where I can share a few things.

With the strength of 87 votes, Special Majlis resolved on 11 June 2007 to complete the constitutional review in whole and to end that process by 30 November 2007. The language of the full text of the resolution shows these elements: [1] constitution has to be passed in whole [2] amending process has to be completed by 30 November [3] changes to facilitate completion of work by that deadline ought to be effected [4] schedule for completing the Majlis work ought to be formulated [5] frequency and duration of Majlis sessions ought to be increased.

Q [1]: Can you make arrangements to run 2 channels of TVM: one as a news and educational channel, the other one as an entertainment channel? News and educational channel should telecast Majlis debates, other official functions, documentaries, national emergency issues, hourly news bulletins and educational programs. Entertainment channel should telecast teledramas, films, music programs, sports programs, fashion shows and live matches.

It has been a practice now for sometime at Special Majlis that if there are no 57 members present at 9 am sharp at the Chamber to start the meeting, the session scheduled for the day gets cancelled. It is considered that there is no quorum to constitute a “legally good” meeting. If there is no quorum right at the start, the Majlis cannot begin for the day.

Till this date, we have had 153 full and good sessions. About 16 or so sessions scheduled to take place have been cancelled for lack of quorum. The lack of quorum is publicized very negatively. Cancellation of sessions due to lack of quorum is reflected heavily and adversely on the Government for showing no interest in the reform process in general or constitution review process in particular.

One the one hand is the quick adoption of the Tasks List charted out by the special committee of the Special Majlis, the so called Committee of Eleven, and move ahead quickly with the referendum on the system of government. Public pressure is enormous. On the other hand is the question if the process should continue despite its current and apparent flaws and loopholes for keeping time and speed. The concerns are real.

Here is a cut picture of the dilemmas the Special Majlis face.

I arrived in Singapore this morning to take part in two events: the AMIC Annual Conference and the World Journalism Education Congress. Many thanks to the Asia Media Information Communication Centre based in Singapore for the invitation.

In less than an hour after arriving at the conference centre and while still getting introduced to the media experts and the high profile journalists attending the conference, I was asked to join Dr Indrajit Banerjee, the Secretary General of AMIC. I was quickly ushered into a spacious room nearby. Dr Banerjee was sitting comfortably in an upholstered chair that stood behind a small indoor plant placed near a large glass window. I was asked to sit in front of him in a similar chair for a conversation.

Asking the question “Who is a Journalist?” was how the day began for me today. At AMIC’s annual conference now in progress in Singapore, there were the professors from media, journalism and mass communication colleges and faculties from diverse continents and backgrounds in the first session of the day all trying to arrive at a common understanding of who a journalist is. There were the think tanks from institutes of policy studies and research. There were the high profile journalists themselves carrying with them long standing experience. All of them contributing in their own way to the debate.

I got a phone call today from a foreign journalist who wanted to know of the status of the media reform bills. I said two of the six bills have been on the parliamentary agenda for this month of June. The journalist immediately asked me if that means that the two bills would be passed by June end. I said no. I said it means debate on those two bills will begin within the month of June. I also said this: The two media bills on the agenda for sometime now have not come up for discussions in parliament as yet, because items appearing before those two bills have not exhausted their discussions. Each time an item gets prolonged, it pushes the rest of the items further down in the agenda. I went on to say even this: There is another reason for the delay as well. After every two days of dealing with government bills and other business proposed by the government, the parliament will focus the next and following day on bills, motions, petitions and resolutions moved by individual members.

My sincere apologies for not carrying the questions and answers this weekend. I am travelling and have not been able to look at the list of questions received this week. I shall be in Maldives by 3rd July 2007. I shall carry the questions and answers the coming weekend. Once again my sincere apologies.

Last night, I was watching BBC World News. One of the news items was on the 10th anniversary of hand back of Hong Kong to China. The anchor Zeinab Badawi was interviewing Andrew Leung, the Founder and Chairman of Andrew Leung International Consultants. He was Director-General of the HK Economic & Trade Office till 2004. The theme was about the “one country – two systems” practiced by China in relation to Hong Kong ever since the territory was handed back to China in 1997. The interview was more specifically on the extent of influence China exercises over Hong Kong.