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.
On a past note, I have been the secretary to the Presidential Commission that investigated the death of Evan Naseem in 2003. I was assisting the commission in organizing and carrying out the investigation, studying hundred of statements, compiling the report and translating it into English. If any one person knew the whole story of Evan, I am one of them, I should think. The investigation took four months to complete. I took several more months to recover from the effects of it. Perhaps I have never recovered totally.
According to media reports and those received from the friends in Male’ and the friend from jail, today’s events have roots in a dispute that began in the jail last night close to midnight. A group of inmates housed in a dormitory form compound forced themselves out of their large cell by breaking it open. They subsequently managed to open up a few other compounds like that. They also broke open the blocks which had smaller two person or four person cells. After Evan’s the police stay off premises to assist the penitentiary staff in case help is asked. The police presence at the time was insufficient to control such a mass break up. Reinforcement was called. Until then, police and penitentiary staff stayed off limits of the prison facility to ensure inmates did not cross over to the resident population on the island of Maafushi.
It was during that window inmates vandalized the medical center and took away some tablets. By the time the police reinforcement arrived the inmates had retreated to the cells. It was not known if inmates went back to their own cells or blocks to which they were attached to by the prison facility. The reinforcement that arrived decided not to enter the cells right away as inmates had retreated within the cells. The police also wanted to wait for some independent civilian presence when they put inmates back to their actual cells and confiscated items of vandalism from them. The police decided on that because often the police have been blamed for the way they dealt with the prison inmates in such circumstances. The police decided to carry out the work when day broke.
During that wait off premises, some inmates brought out Muslih and another inmate on to the main road neighboring the prison premises. Apparently both had taken an overdose. The doctors on the facility could not revive Muslih but was able to revive the other from the effects of the overdose.
The body of Muslih and the overdose patient were brought about 5 am to IGMH at Male’. There were two other patients that followed - one in the morning - one in the afternoon. Thank God, they are recovering.
Muslih was declared dead on arrival for reasons not known. I am told that it is a position doctors take in certain circumstances where no obvious abnormality or external injury is detected on a clinical examination in respect of a dead body. The term also indicates that the cause of death may only be determined with the help of an autopsy. Although they may have suspected an overdose, they would never want to certify the cause of a death as such without adequate professional examination and study.
All day, it had been reportedly tense within the premises of the prison. Inmates had been active at times – and quiet at other times. Some say they even rejected food during most part of the day. They became quieter as night approached. In the early evening it was reported that prison guards assisted by police officers have started their check on the inmates and their cells, taking records of inmates and picking up items that should not remain with inmates or in their cells. Human Rights Commission members are actively present in the prison facility since noon I am told. They have reportedly interviewed a few inmates according to news reports. HRCM is undertaking an independent inquiry into the events of last night and today. ICRC has also been invited by the Government to do their own inquiry - a requirement that is provided under an agreement between the Maldives Government and ICRC.
There was an attempt by the parents of Muslih to undertake a post mortem on the body of their deceased son. Written requests were made to the Government as the day’s official business hours came to a close. However the parents thereafter decided to proceed with the burial. Thank God, there are no disturbances in Male’ and streets have become quiet.
Important concerns remain. Substance abuse is a major issue facing this nation. The issue is confronting the country again and again in various forms: street fights, gang wars, secret societies, inexplicable deaths, premature deaths, disturbances in the jail, thefts and burglaries, intimidation and harassments, unexplained sums of money and so on. The law on substance abuse and trafficking offences is under revision. The rehabilitation program is being enhanced. The parole system is being tested for effectiveness. The police encounter challenge after challenge tackling incidents involving persons related to substance abuse. Media needs to play a more concrete and intimate role in all these aspects.
Root cause of many issues is inevitably being linked to substance abuse. It is dawning on us all that enforcement alone is not working. A wholesome and integrated approach including rehabilitation, penalty, reintegration, community support, policy decisions, enforcement techniques, monitoring and supervision mechanisms, control of borders and tackling anti social behavior in a big way would all need to be included in our approach to fight this deadly reality.
I am sure lessons like those learnt today will make all of us [myself very much included] concerned think harder. A country inundated with political volatility, polarization of views, polemical divisions would need only a fraction of a second to turn men into mobs and nights into nightmares.
Comments (28)
Well.. This just shows how much we should trust words from the government officials about "improving things and future plans" and how much they learn lessons from the past. I wonder why, in a nation with hundreds of uninhabited islands, the prison has to be built in an inhabited island. According to what we hear, the inmates break into the inhabited area of the island every now and then (i do not know how), causing disturbances to the residences.
Why not build a prison comlex in a bigger island and have all the prisoners moved there? I believe it would be much easier to manage the place properly and use the limited resources and personnel more effectively. Resources will not then have to be shared between 3 or four prisons and detention centres located far away from each other.
The notorious fire in the prison in late nineties, the riots in September 2003, substance abuse by the prisoners in the prison itself, etc. How much have we learned from those?
Coming to substance abuse, a promise was made to an applauding crowd in 2004 by the president that in 3 months we will see "significant improvements" in controlling drug abuse and trade. 3 years gone by. The situation has never been worse.
Whether you believe it or not, fighting drugs, housing policy and population consolidation, are key political tools used by the government and the opposition to fool our poor citizens and to score political points.
I am not excited by any of the measures that is supposedly being taken by the government to tackle these issues. :(
Posted by Dhonkalo | June 7, 2007 1:17 AM
Posted on June 7, 2007 01:17
Dear Nasheed
Substance abuse is only a symptom of the greater malaise called 'freedom' which people haphazardly implement in their life.Lets take this 'freedom' to trial.Or you can arrange a debate on this core idea instead of the proposed debate on 'various sects in Islam' .'Freedom' means parents are no longer accountable for bringing up their kids.Freedom also means people are free to do whatever they want.This freedom,in the real sense of the meaning,when put into application in realiy, manifests in different ways.So the guys in customs are known for taking bribe which is their way of 'freedom'.The police are known as torturers.That is the freedom they can practise.Therefore,we cannot attribute different outwards manifestaions of 'wrongs' and claim each 'wrong' is specific to a particular entity.A custom officer taking bribe and the police guy behaving roughly are all attributed to the fundamental thought - freedom
Recently,some members of the Majlis were exhibiting a sort of behaviour not dissimilar to this jail break incident.These MPs were climbing the wall of the Majlis
Posted by kudey | June 7, 2007 1:53 AM
Posted on June 7, 2007 01:53
Dear Minister,
The last time Police had no choice so they fired "javvah, havayah, fazaa'ah" at the end of the investigation we now know what that really means. Here again, together with the news of the death, police has come up with the cause of death. Its the Police giving the cause and nobody else. So we need an investigation for obvious reasons. We need to know what other inmates saw and say. We need to know what type of drugs are kept at the Jail Medical Centre and above all we need to know the truth behind this. Some body must be resposibile for taking care of inmates and the security of the Jail. All these need to addressed.
Posted by Me | June 7, 2007 2:53 AM
Posted on June 7, 2007 02:53
I don't know whether the first part of your post was a nicely written fiction or the truth. The truth is hard to come by these days.
Regarding substance abuse, the law has been in revision for atleast the past 3 years. A draft was made, but it was never put on the ag website as promised for public feedback. It wasn't even given to NNCB for review (yeah NAZ was involved during the making but she left for further studies). No consultation was done regarding the actual service providers (clinical staff) of NNCB. When I confronted someone involved at the AG office, the answer was that, people at the higher level refused to put it up on the website for comments. what gives?
Everyone says, that Substance abuse is a problem, have fantastic view about it. But refuse to do anything concrete about it.
The rehabilitation programe being enhanced is laughable. Don't listen to the power hungry puppets that heat the chairs at the top level in NNCB. If you want a true picture of rehabiliation issues, talk to the clinical staff!
I saw an interesting research Maldivian researchg on on maldivehalths blog.
Take time out to read it dear minister, you might learn a thing or two about rehabilitation in the Maldives.
http://maldiveshealth.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/ihsanathesis.pdf
Have a good day
Posted by Athena | June 7, 2007 4:31 AM
Posted on June 7, 2007 04:31
People do think about the drug problem facing us. People have even written academic papers on it
http://tinyurl.com/26f6xl
Government do not want to listen.
Some say there is always calm before a storm. I think the storm is approaching. And approaching much faster than anyone has anticipated.
Posted by Muhammakalo | June 7, 2007 5:13 AM
Posted on June 7, 2007 05:13
Almost all the prisoners would be finding a way to break the prison and get out of their, it is well understood thing. they fight for a freedom they dont "deserve", until their sentence is over. we cant blame them for breaking it, it is their "job" to do so.
i have never been to maafushi prison yet, but i heard that in each cell there are 50 to 100 inmates, people who have done different crimes. from theft to rape. would it be ok for all these people to stay in one whole place?
if your friend can sms u and comment on the blog, i have no reason not to beleive the inmates would have a regular dose of their personal meal - drugs.
i just hope a proper investigation of the matter is carried out and the FULL report is published.
one of my friend said that the CCTV cameras attached in prison did not capture any of the activities by the inmatres because of the sudden shock they got. maybe a joke but i hope they got it too.
Posted by Frozen Solid | June 7, 2007 7:26 AM
Posted on June 7, 2007 07:26
man.. u better quit blogging... better start running a democratic site jst like the other nutshells in this nation... as far as i am concerned this isnt much a topic to be raised either... i mean why on earth did this low life end in jail at the first place?? n now the guy kicks off into after life in an OD??? thats just shit dude... my point is.. as long as we point fingers we get nowhere at all... one calls out GOLHA BOA n the other goes 2 BOA GERI not once thinking into oneself n asking himself/herself "WTF am i doing with my life?" or "Am I responsible for my own mistakes?" bt i guess we Maldivians have our way of pointing fingers huh.... damn!
Posted by machaa | June 7, 2007 9:34 AM
Posted on June 7, 2007 09:34
I got an opportunity to have a conversation with the head of hehabilitation centre in Addu. Currently there are some 27 recovering adicts. Until yesterday, more that 48 people were arrested in connection with drug abuse in Addu. Two only out of the 48 were taken to the Regional Drug Rehabilitation Centre. Most are serving their punishment in jail.
Head of RDRC told me when i asked about the best approach in counseling the addicts, he smiled at me and asked what i thought. I said nothing. Then he said "its certainly Islam my friend". I was not shocked coz people go astray in the first place coz their Islamic faith is not strong enough to hold them back from refraining from evil.
So my point is, national policies in terms of drug rehabilitation should very much emphasize on the importance of including religious concepts to counter this. We have always been hearing some psycological counseling for drug addicts. Our nation as a whole need to strengthen our faith in God!
Feel bad another inmate is dead!
Posted by unaihs | June 7, 2007 12:19 PM
Posted on June 7, 2007 12:19
I was refusing to beleive that most of what is written by our Hon minister is fiction here. But the latest post about the taxi drivers strike and another sad death in maafushi has forced me to think harder. After every cabinet meeting, consultation, emergency session our hon. minister rush to write that in his blog. Ofcourse twisitng and flavouring it to his benifit. What the transport minister said to haveeru reporters were already in our 'clever' ministers blog before the paper came out quoting it from transport minister. I was believing that our blog minister did his own research and wrote the article. But it just prove to be false. And now another incredible news! Our minister has a friend an inmate in jail who sms and even comment on his blog! Isn't this hilarious? I wouldn't be surprised to read if Hussain Solah came out of his grave and shook hands with the blog minister and had a chat and even coffee with him! Disgusting!
Posted by disgust | June 7, 2007 3:19 PM
Posted on June 7, 2007 15:19
well, i agree with you. but theres no way we can tell who's fault it is, yet coz we cannot even relay only on the inmates voice. some of them might just want to get attention or sumthing. i really dont know. well let just see who's fault itis this time. :S
Posted by haako | June 7, 2007 3:32 PM
Posted on June 7, 2007 15:32
All these years we have been following the religious model and it is a big BIG failure. If we are even thinking along the lines of putting a brake on the ones who are resorting to drug abuse we need to think and act in a different approach. we need to think long term and act now. I think the Ihsana report highlights an important aspect of the whole process. That is to listen to those who are involved in the care process.
Posted by SA | June 7, 2007 4:50 PM
Posted on June 7, 2007 16:50
his drug addiction is what killed him.it is the problem.an addict needs help not jail time.
Posted by l | June 7, 2007 7:22 PM
Posted on June 7, 2007 19:22
This guy died while he was in custody of DPRS. Isnt it the responsibility of DPRS to provide the adequate facilities in these detention centres. It is a serious issue when someone dies while they are in custody, whether the police did it or it happened in some other way. Someone has to be responsible for this. If indeed he died due to an overdose, someone has to be responsible to the fact that they wear able to break into the Medical centre.
So MInister Nasheed, you being a lawyer, i want to ask you one thing. Does the governement or DPRS have a responsibility to provide adequate facilities to the inmates? Can the DPRS or the government be sued for this?
Posted by Ahmed | June 7, 2007 8:14 PM
Posted on June 7, 2007 20:14
Dear Disgust,
I know your comment is more about me than the post I published. As a rule, I do not publish comments that do not relate to the subject under discussion. But I made an exception here because I think the point you make is relevant and may be a feeling a lot have.
I do not write on my blog information I have from cabinet, or other consultations that are of a confidential nature. It would be breach of confidence. That said, I have from the very beginning been saying that I write on this blog issues I go through, live through every day in capacities, official or private. That way, I may have written on issues discussed in various other meetings I participate.
The analysis narrated by Transport Minister to Majlis or to the press, has in large part come from the STO press conference held a day ahead. It was STO's analysis revealed to press reporters. Some of it was quoted in papers andsome of it was broadcast on television the same day. The Minister spoke in the Majlis the next day. The price of petrol in other countries is also found in several sms messages that were circulated among a big audience a day before the Minister spoke. So there is no issue of me being in confidential consultations and writing the same on my blog.
The first few paragraphs in the article on taxi strike are no twists or fictitious narrations. They are all true accounts narrated to me by those who have experienced them. In fact the story of the pregnant woman involved an MDP friend of mine, who had taken part in every rally they have had. He had an argument the same day with the taxi drivers too. His point to them was this: When we protest you say you cannot earn income and cannot take pregnant women to hospital. What happened to your income today. What happened to pregnant women today. Will they not give birth today.
The issue of Muslih was narrated to me from Maafushi. Those who know me personally know of a friend I have in Maafushi. He is friends with several. He was married to a lawyer. He had his education in Paksitan. He is a man with huge PR and enormous talents. He has presented shows. Lot will know him in Male'. He is in jail today serving life because of drugs. He narrated to me what happened yesterday. He sent messages to me. I communicated with him several times, through a common friend. The question which I answered last week on Questions and Answers about substance abuse and media profile is a response to a comment he made on this blog.
I hope it clears the issue.
Best wishes
Posted by Nasheed | June 7, 2007 8:17 PM
Posted on June 7, 2007 20:17
Nasheed,
I dont know which part of the whole episode is really 'sad'? Is it the father of the deceased referring to the dead body as 'BODY GANDU' while sipping tea?
Posted by kudeys | June 8, 2007 1:38 AM
Posted on June 8, 2007 01:38
this is a drug problem.stop pointing fingers at ppl point it at the problem.a guy gets put in jail due to hiis addiction, theft or dealing to support his habit or possesion or using which are criminal offences.he then broke out of his cell not to escape but to seek drugs yet again and then he took too much of it.addiction is a desease and it was responsible for his death.we need new ways to fight substance abuse and chemical dependency before we get more drug related deaths which will probably happen the moment the market gets flooded with more potent forms of drugs just like it has in other countries.
Posted by l | June 8, 2007 6:13 AM
Posted on June 8, 2007 06:13
Sir,
The sad thing is this is a national issue and the govt you are part of is incapable of handling these issues decently.
There has been several murders/deaths in the past, in prison which was not really exposed until 2003, after the brutal murder of Eavan Naseem. When we read your blog it proves that you are one person who knows the very truth of Eavan Naseem's murder which followed by 3 or more who were shot " havayah, vayah, fazaa ah", by the NSS/Police or whatever you call,which is the same for us "Sifain". And recent mysterious deaths of Hussain Salah and now of Muslih Abbas', which you and perhaps the "New Maldives" friends will try to paint your regime,don't you think you all are decieving your countrymen? Don't you think you all are inhuman?
When one read this article on your blog it shows how you manipulated the story. However it hints the recent death of Muslih Abbas has a similarity as of Eavan Naseem's.
Posted by ameen | June 8, 2007 4:11 PM
Posted on June 8, 2007 16:11
Mr Nasheed! WHY CANT YOU QUIT THE JOB AND FOLLOW YOUR OWN PATH AS A LAWYER! That will help us more than anything. The country is short staffed with lawyers, strategists, teachers, doctors and so on and so forth but not ministers. If you quit the job then there will be someone like Buruma Qasim to fill those top jobs. We don’t need philosophers and PHD’s to fill these top jobs. Fairly we need people like you to work as a strategist working for people rather than sitting and taking preposterous decisions in the top jobs. In that case people will accept you as a champion. In your writings you have highlighted quite few numbers of times that you love to be a lawyer rather than that ministerial job. So let’s take a u turn and help us in your field rather then sitting there and wondering around how you are going to help the people of Maldives.
What I suggest is that you don’t need to think of that ministerial job. Leave the job and come to our world with your open and intellectual mind to help the nation of Maldives in your chosen field. I would rather die to take that position having been studied the field of microbiology in my academia. You studied law and I studied microbiology…do you think we can work for the Information Ministry. No mate! That’s not gonna work in this information age. People know the current affairs and what is going on around them. Even “Moya Nasira” knows the media more than you and me! Common! lets change the subject of changing the ministry and its environment. First we will change ourselves and then the country will see who we are rather confronting threats and humiliations from the people everyday. I am ready to quit from the job with you…
Besides, I have something to tell you the citizen of Maldives. I feel disgust to talk about this but I am going to tell you something that you all going to talk within your minds. I was born and brought up in Male and studied in a foreign country. I have experienced the hardship of life now and then. Alright! I won’t go around telling you what I wanted to tell you all. In short, I hate to live in Maldives and I just can’t see any future, I always ask myself what am I going to do tomorrow? I go to office and come home and do the same job everyday and its kind unexciting. On top of that on the way home I see people and I hate to see them for a reason. When I passed a road or a café or a school and all I hear is the same story. I feel like I am living in a cell with full of jailbirds and idiots.
People are changed so much within few years and it’s like they know everything in life. Even the kids talk about politics and this is mind-blowing… I was like What? Are you all out of your minds? The other day I passed this school and I heard these kids were talking about MDP and DRP. Hello! Is there anyone to help them for their studies? Then I passed these strange corners in Male’. Their hot story was how to get rid of Maumoon and how to implement their “democratic” systems! Oiy! Let me tell you something…just sitting there and talking gobbledygook will not help the nation. While they were talking so called politicians (laugh my self) were just taking a big “Dhufin” and when they talk the mixture comes out from their mouth as like red blood bleeding from a wound. I was like what the hack stop that ‘Dhufungandu’ and go home! Unquestionably they have families to look after and other social things to do in their absurd life. I just can’t see any point wasting their time in the crowd for nothing. Their wives and kids are crying out to get some food for the day but these bamboozles are out there trying to rape the government. Oiy! People of Maldives! I also hate things but we need to take things more sensibly rather than building confrontations and disunities within the society. I did support MDP at some extent but not anymore because of their self-indulgent and childish behaviour towards the current regime. Hey! Kiddy filthy politicians you are in a professional political arena. You need to be within the political showground not just trying to destabilize the nation. All your actions brought us some sort of unthinkable drawbacks in life. You and my families cannot walk in the public roads safely. It’s like living in a hell. Every corner is like a strange place for you and our kids. You politicians need to work as a team in which to show us and our young generations a brighter future not just teach them violence. As I mentioned, schools are now becoming gangs and they are studying not the subjects they should learn but they are learning about your nasty politics and thug activities. Okay in short! I was proud to be a Maldivian but not anymore. That’s all what I have!
Posted by Eathan | June 8, 2007 5:52 PM
Posted on June 8, 2007 17:52
Hello there...
just one thing...as u seem to be a little shocked that your friend in jail is sending you sms's and been able to write on this blog i was wondering if you have followed through to find out how they get mobiles in, as far as i know they are not supposed to have those privileges. and i feel that as you are a minister that it is your duty to do so, because if they can get a mobile in they sure can get other stuff too...and this information is something that you personally know and not something you have heard from someone...and as you have identified the root of many caused to be substance abuse and that the government needs to strengthen enforcement, which is true, i feel that nothing is done by the police to enforce...as i have personally witnessed police carelessness in enforcing. one night around one midnight i was walking on sosun magu and notice a guy who could barely walk, 1st glance would tell you that this guy was a "partey" and that he was high and the funniest this was that a police jeep went by this and did nothing, and i am sure they would have noticed him cox he was walking almost in the middle of the road....no wonder why people dont call to inform the police about these incidents as they dont do anything...and people who were arrested while taking drugs have been released stating not enough evidence...well hellooo...he was high when they arrested him...
Posted by Ali Andre | June 8, 2007 8:05 PM
Posted on June 8, 2007 20:05
not on the suject but its a concern that your proffessional freind "Eathan" has expressed his frustration of the current situation in Maldives. This is perhaps the same with many others of similar calibre. I see these things in a different way which may not be quite agreeable to the "proffessionals".
I believe the intellectual community could be of help to the country, in solving the exact problems which has been noticed in his posting. I do not what you will call it "think tank" or whatever - they can analyse, make reports and do something to their country to make their country a better place to live. For such things may be a group of like minded 3,4 people can work on a project sparing few hours a week for the project, I am sure if such things can be done, I am atleast confident of much better improvements. Finally I have to say blame is not a solution. Conribute what you can to the country. Best wishes
Posted by ameen | June 9, 2007 2:45 PM
Posted on June 9, 2007 14:45
(An Open Letter)
Minister Nasheed,
From the beginning I have been very interested to read your blog. It struck me as a slightly human face to an otherwise inhuman and unfeeling regime. For instance, in your post about the latest death in Maafushi prison, there clearly is anguish. There is also doubt, when you talk about how you were affected by being in the team that investigated the death of Eavan Naseem when you say 'perhaps you never fully recovered from' those effects. [-----------]
I am not concerned here in proving these claims either for or against Gayoom, whom you often call a 'lawfully elected' president in your posts. He might be
lawfully elected, yet can he avoid the accusations of being 'callous' and indifferent to the most precious resource we have in this country...?
I'm not talking about the white sandy beaches that we are so good at selling all around the world. The 'delicate' environment we inhabit that Gayoom likes
to flaunt in order to attract attention and money... and perhaps fulfilling a genuine concern.
Yet, he has neglected the youth of this nation. You rightly say that substance abuse is one of the gravest problems we face today, and is the root cause of
so many other serious issues including high-risk crimes. It is my contention though that by seeing drugs as a root cause you are blinding yourself to more insidious facts about the malaise we find ourselves in at the moment. 75% of our population today are under 35 years. And 40% below 24 years. I believe it would be safe to assume that more than 75% of drug users in the country would fall into the 75% under 35 years. And herein lies a clue to Gayoom’s failure.
If you scan the statistics published annually by the Maldivian government you will notice that huge demographic changes have taken place in Male and the
more populated atolls and islands of the country in the last 20 or so years. A ‘drug problem’ was first heard of, and began being mentioned in the mainstream
media beginning from the early ‘90s. Heroin or brown-sugar was never even heard of in the country prior to this although there has been reported cases
of marijuana use. Initially drugs offenders were punished under a law passed much earlier – often giving the same sentence for user and dealer alike. There was also much demonising of individuals and groups caught using drugs in papers like Haveeru and sometimes on state run TVM where often photos of those
caught were displayed along with the news items. For years, the regular treatment of these individual and groups consisted of banishment to the outer atolls.
The drug problem is as serious as ever in the Maldives at present. It is nearly 20 years since we first noticed a growing substance abuse problem among
the youth of this country. Why did it take so long for us to realize that what we need is an ‘integrated approach’? And since we did realize that we needed a
more comprehensive approach in dealing with the problem of drugs, what have we been able to achieve so far? Of course you or other politicians interested in
defending the current government will come out with a list of thousands of things that have been done in order to deal with the drugs issue. But as you
and other government ministers and other senior figures associated with the establishment talk of the moral deprivations we as a nation are going through,
and worse, point fingers at the youth for being the culprits for all the evil in the country, surely you are either missing the point or deliberately trying
to misconstrue facts?
When one government has been in power for three decades, and has actively made efforts to ensure they remain in power and still actively compete with
opposition political groups, who can we blame for the problems we have today? Gayoom and his ministers are very good at talking about the many achievements
of the present government but very clearly side-steps serious social as well as economic issues in order to manipulate public opinion.
The Maldivian people know this. They are aware of the many rhetorical games you and colleagues representing the Gayoom regime have been playing for so
long. That is why they suspect Hill and Knowlton to be behind your blog. I know you have come out saying that it is a Maldivian who has helped you to put
up the site. But who will believe this. This story of the UK public relations firm has appeared only in media critical of the government. And yet, to this
date, the government has not bothered to explain the association with Hill and Knowlton to the Maldivian public. Why? Are the public beneath such an
explanation? Don’t they need to know since so much of public funds are being spent on them. You are also very vocal on the ‘negative effects’ of foreign
journalists on the Maldivian media landscape, especially political reporting. But what more foreign influence can there be than a commercially operated
public relations firm from the Europe having to advice the Maldivian government how deal with their own public? Isn’t this a joke?
I feel you have hit the nail on the head when you say that drugs is the single-most threat to the stability of the country. And we have to remember
that it was the custodial death of a drugs offender, Eavan Naseem, that has triggered this mass reform movement we are witnessing today. Nobody has
forgotten this. And while clever politicians like yourself are attempting to ennoble your image through dint of association with drugs victims, it comes
across as too shallow and contrived. This is why you get nasty open letters and angry comments on blogs run by other individuals.
I would also like to add some final comments on your blog - why we think you have suddenly come up with this is to attempt to connect to an estranged
public determined not to get distracted by the many state-run 'eye candy' and'sugar-coated' news bulletins.
Adios and good luck.
BS
Posted by bs | June 9, 2007 4:50 PM
Posted on June 9, 2007 16:50
When people discuss any problem that the society suffers they always seem to retreat into the past in order to establish the real cause.Also,some would claim that the current regime is in turmoil.So who is in charge of people's affairs today insofar as controlling peoples' mindset? So,lets talk about the opposition party and its contributions to the problem because thats the entity that has captured peoples' hearts and minds.Forget the ruling class.
Most people start their analysis of the drugs problem at the point where drugs enters people's mouth.Others would start at the point where drugs enter into the country.But this is a wrong approach.Drugs abuse is a consequence of following a certain way of life.
Posted by kudey | June 9, 2007 10:03 PM
Posted on June 9, 2007 22:03
A question arises on the amount and type of these drugs that were being kept in the prison pharmacy. Did the drugs kept include the restricted drugs (see the Ministry of health website)? If so why? What was the reason? If it was there, why was it not secure? As i know, these restricted drugs are supposed to be kept in a locked safe much like that of a thijooree. And only STO pharmacy is allowed to sell these.So there is no way the inmates could have accessed to these, unless it was in an open place for them to just pick it up. Again, the authorities should tell the public what drugs are kept there. It is a public issue. Prison is very much a public issue.
Many people are trying to link drugs with all the crime and such.
These people are trying to influence the public opinion for political gains. They do not look for the root cause of crimes.Root cause of drugs.The root cause of child abuse. The root cause of why the government has failed. What did the present government not do in order to come to this juncture? What could have this present government done to evade such and such?
I think these questions need to be answered or at least debated, if we are to genuinely find a solution or a partial solution at least that will work.
As i see, radical religious groups are even more dangerous than drugs for the stability of this country. Imagine when these two join.
Posted by Pharmamaster | June 9, 2007 11:25 PM
Posted on June 9, 2007 23:25
helo Kudeys (not Kudey)
what would you call when your son or mamma die? HASHI GANDU or BODY GANDU? whats the difference? stop f###### and start thinking!
Posted by Bla | June 10, 2007 2:33 AM
Posted on June 10, 2007 02:33
I also get sms and phone calls from the same place ... and whats the difference...every one knows they have drugs,tobacco,phones and other stuff (now ive discovered they even smuggle in Tv,VCR,DVD players,karantu kees,drillss,hammers...and what not)...but there is some difference here..even if i know it ...how can i prove it..what can i do about it?i can blog about it...but what good would that do?...but you...can DO SOMETHING...and you have to do it..you have a friend there who sms you (which i believe is not something you made up)...and what did you do about it?you think that is funny?unlike taxi drivers strike?
this is serious...they use it...they are addicted to it...and then put in to some damned cell with all sorts of criminals and infectious diseases.they use it every day in that damned place..there is no escape from it...then they go to rehab...and oh my god..the counselors too are addicts!now what...banished to some island...some island kids discovers the amazing stuff they use it.no place is good for them.no wonder they have ropes prepared to commit suicide in the cells.the next best way is killing em and throwing em to sea?
oh,where was i...hmm.. you ever thought of how drugs and everything else get in there? the prisoners put a karantu kees and DVD player in their arse? and how is it coming to maldives?how do all thousands of addicts get their daily doses?
"After Evan’s the police stay off premises to assist the penitentiary staff in case help is asked."...so this had happened and then everything have to be like before?a good reason?
Posted by moyameehaa | June 10, 2007 9:39 AM
Posted on June 10, 2007 09:39
The article is long and some comments are as long as the article, Though I could not read all, I have read most.
The most important factor that I miss from the article as well as comments is the reason why inmates broke off and raided the Prison pharmacy.
Here is the information I have. Nasheed should be able to verify this.
First let me mention here that there are two groups of Prison guards now. The old DPRS Prison guards and the recently joined new guards who were trained in Australia.
Just a day or two before the incident, DPRS Prison guards had caught a fellow prison guard (red handed). What I am not sure is whether they caught him handing over the pills to inmates, or while he was taking it from the pharmacy. The "pills" are the type given to drug addicts who are housed in a seperate unit in Maafushi Prison. Prison guards have played a part in all illegal smuggling into the prison which is why the fence and control room are being built. This is near completion and the invloved guards as well as their clients know that once these work are completed, even guards cannot take anything in. The solution ? Delay the work as much as possible.
The guard being caught and detained basically stopped one of the routes of drugs entering the cells. In addition to this a numbers of other measures taken in recent months has reduced the inflow.
Contrary to most reports, the inmates who first came out did not break the cell door as per the information I have. They had a better plan. Readers may ask how do people locked up make plans? Well surprise here, the inmates (except hight security cells)are loose from 8am until 10pm free to roam around the premises.
On this day, an inmate had been reported sick, and DPRS guards opened that cell to take him to the medical centre. As soon as the cell door opened the rest of the inmates jumped on the guards. The inmates who came out from the first cell broke the locks of the adjacent cells and let the oothers come out.
In addition to taking the "drug pill", they had damaged the facility's xray machine (which stops the Male' trips) and damaged the buildings in the construction area. They also go themselves welding machines, cut off machines, steel bars, drills and other items from the construction site. This was the time when reinforcements were being called in.
As the first comment here mentions, I also wonder why the Government did not build the new jail in an uninhabited island rather than concentrating all prisoners here.
We have major issues here. Convicted criminals should be treated as such, they themselves have sacrificed their freedom by an act of theirs. The Maldivian public are currently paying Rf 1500/- per head per day to house these people ! Look at the photo of a cell in yesterday's Haveeru. It looks better than some of the rooms I have seen in Male'.
Posted by Adam | June 10, 2007 11:16 AM
Posted on June 10, 2007 11:16
Mr Nasheed,
well shows how much the inmates are desperate for narcotics, that they swallow anything which comes in tablets.
We should admit that the govt's policy towards drug rehabilitation and control has been a complete failiure. One should agree that the current government has completely failed in this regard.
Its not the differeces in political ideology which disrupts social harmony in this country, its narcotics. So think again.
Posted by aharen | June 11, 2007 11:40 PM
Posted on June 11, 2007 23:40
The society's conception of bringing up children is also an influencing factor in this drugs crisis.Today,the reason why parents would bother to bring up children in a systemmatic manner is linked to the imagined benefits they might get. Which means there is a high probability that some people might not bother how their kids grow up.So,for example some ppl may strive to get an education for their kids so that they(parents) can boast about their achievements to the neighbours,friends..etc.This type of mentality is not new.Its various manifestations have appeared in different times with different levels of sophistication.Before the advent of the monetary system,the need for bigger family reaped benefits.More kids meant more food.Meaning more kids meant that parents could employ more kids in fishing and agriculture.So,naturally more hands bring more food.Nowadays,some think bringing a kid into the world could somehow stabilise a marriage that was about to end.Deceptive men and women use the issue of kids as a bait to keep his/her spouse within the wedlock as their marriage is not built upon a solid foundation which can keep going on its own strength.Then there are ofcourse the more sophisticated variety of parents who would use their kids to sell drugs and steal.And now people feel no qualms to 'politicise' the dead body of their kids.
Posted by ah | June 13, 2007 2:27 AM
Posted on June 13, 2007 02:27