Talking Point

I do not think there is any need for any kind of public debate as you have suggested. Unless there is respect for the people, why should it be done? We all know where loyalties stand. It is with DRP. Keeping DRP in power. DRP has majority in the special majlis and their leader (aka President) will ratify the constitution if he sees fit. So if DRP wants the public to be converted to what they believe there is no harm in the DRP Information Minister using the DRP owned media to promote their positions. If the public wants to find out they will do so. Nasheed, (for the sake of Allah) if you want to do something about public being informed and public debate, open up the question of theft, drugs, and violence. I am sure the public would love to express their views.

First no offense for speaking my mind out...

If not a treat to national security the name of the Canadian professor and a reference would help to see what he is like...

Now for the questions, first why are you asking so many questions, if I knew all the right answers would I be more proper to sit in that chair?

However I prefer still to say something...

First, most of the public is too busy minding their own business to get caught in the game of politics... Their there things that the public like to vote for and things rather OK people in the seats burn their brain for, thats what they are paid and honored for. So don't act dumb and use the head and experiences!!!! You are talking of public debate... I find this rather funny!
Public are always sensitive, what matters most is to do what is better for everyone, which nobody have a clue of...
Explanation is a good idea, it always is...
Broadcasting i think is OK, although I find it more like late night entertainment...
Education is good, sounds good and we all crave for... so bring them on...
U have no clue who has to explain? Me neither...
People do you have time and energy to debate... it sound so tiring and troublesome...
Impact is driven by necessity and inevitable forces, I don't think it is safe to think otherwise...
I think those who like to debate, those who know what they are saying, those who has to know what they has to say and those who claim to know a lot about the topic would do... Who are they? don't ask me...

To me it sounds like an impossible task, but I prefer to stay optimistic so here I go... Please don't need advice, the dump don't take it and the wise don't need it... If there are enough people who knows what they are doing and saying then I am sure you must be able to let the general public know of the ups and down of each change... Than wait and see how it turn out... Isn't that change?

i didn't read the post at all.. the topic has said everything. seems nobody wants to take responsibility, when it come to decision making everybody wants to flee away..
we elected the people for the majlis .. ok not u.. but u still have got some responsibilities.. but that doesn't mean every time an issue come inn hand you have to consult all the people.. u are supposed to know what will be good for us..
if there is anybody who cant do that, the best thing would be to resign...
do we people have to spoon feed you all and take you to majlis and back like small children.. this is insane..

Minister,

A sceptic would say involving the public in a debate on the constitution at this point is another way of delaying ratification of a new constitution, so President Gayoom can be appointed by the Majlis under the current constitution again next year. The sceptics have already said that about the government-proposed all party talks on the constitution.

The public elected (most) of the Special Majlis members to adopt a constitution in their name. The Special Majlis should get on with its job and complete it.

Broadcasting sessions and discussions shows will be useful to keep the people informed. But an abstract idea of "bringing the people on board" cannot be allowed to delay the constitution.

Your party registrar has said the draft constitution does not matter to your party, that decision on issues about constitution would be made by the party. When your party do not consider even the views of other members matter do you think they care about public.
ps. Why do you keep refereing to a 'draft constitution' when in reality these are ammendments to the existing constitution, or am I wrong about that?

Dear Mr. Nasheed,

Fisrt of all I am surprise to see in your article you have said it is a revised constitution. But in your earlier article you refuse to recognise it as a revision of the constitution. You kept on saying it is a new constitution.

Also I have noticed that your article has changed from essays writing to news reporting (news articles). Maybe you are practising to be a jounalist.

I dont know why a man with all knowledge like you thought that all Maldivians can participate in Special's Majis Debate. Nowonder why you dont attend most of the special majlish debate.

Anyway Mr. Nasheed I think we the general public dont have the power, knowledge, time or mental fitness to participate all the debates that People's Special Majlis conducts. We have given our word on the issue that Special Majlis could not decide.

After all if we all can participate in revising the constitution why do we need special majlis members. I wonder why the hell are we paying the special majlis members to revise our constitution.

Furthermore I think Maldivian general public have all the basic education they need to know about the political changes. They know what are the strings attached to which politicians.

And about your TVM programes, it does not matter what you show on it, people hardly watches TVM except for Majlis debate. But it is good to know that the fellow Minister still dreams about the programes to show in TVM.

Hope you can handle or you have enough strenghts to handle the views of the public.

Ibrahim Rasheed

1. DRP Registrar has told the media that the members of the Party will stick to the party line. It is unconstitutional. The people did not elect a party to represent them. I guess you have to educate him on the nuances of legislation.

2. The Majlis has failed the people and their aspirations, the sincerity of that ill-fated June 9th or 19th speech of the President has been lost. Things have been going from bad to worse ever since.

3. This Majlis will come up with some excuse to go on pocketing the people's money, and to NOT do what they were appointed to do.

4. The people are left helpless. That is what an invisible phantom who calls the shorts really want. He is always one step ahead.

5. I can bet that the constitution will not be drafted by November 30th.

Thank you for an informative post.

Dear Nasheed,

By the way, what is the purpose of a constitution? Did anyone ask around? Was there any debate on that?

Why should we have a government? For what purpose?

Dear Nasheed,

Everybody in the government, including the president and even yourself kept saying 'gaanoonu asaasee ISLAAHU kurun' which I believe doesnt mean making a new constitution but amending. But when you wanted to make the point that all previous presidents can run for office you wanted to change this to making a totally NEW constitution. After 30 years of this, you honestly believe having the same president again is the best thing for our country?

Mr. Minister!
This seems to be relatively unbiased article. Nevertheless, I still have reservations as I feel that you must have a hidden agenda even in this post too.
But Mr. Miniter. Do I need to remind you that the public just need to have the right to live in peace and properity. They need to have enough money to carry on their living with happines and dignity. Not a forum to participate in a debate of any form.
Mr. Minister. I have a lot to say but will just say one thing only. Please be parted from the unjust and unlawful president of the country. Please. He is using our money to promote his power and presidency while our sons and daughters are living without proper food, education and health care. Unless and untill you do that, you Mr. Minister remains as one of the ugliest and most hated persons on land, to me and to the majority of the people.
Woe to you and your so called principles as those principles have given you more shame and hate than respect and love.

I know this is out of topic but can you tell me why TVM sounds very much like the state TV of Burma at times of public outrage and protest?

Dear Mr. Nasheed,

Are you aware that most of the Maldivians just earn arround USD200/- after working 30 hours a month.

We have to pay way too high prices for the utilities yet alone. A normal man alone cannot live alone on his own income. The Father, Mother, Sisters, Brothers and in laws have to support the family just to pay utilities. If a family memeber get ill we have to go begging the more fortunate people.

This is the situation how we Maldivians are living. You in your high earning cabinet portfoli and with your leisure life might not be aware of these.

Due to these reason we cannot afford to participate in every Special Majlish debates. After all we are sacrificing these leisure living and paying you guys High salary to do this Job.

The fact is that we have elected members to play this match for our team. You was appointed by your team to play this match for your team. I tell my team members not to call the spectators and supporters every time they want to score a goal.

Bass

Dear Nasheed
The issues raised here in the comments are heard everywhere around Maldives Nasheed. The worries of grown up men not being able to give (THE BASIC NEEDS) shelter, food and clothing to their wife and children. Just because you had one uniform and had to make ‘kiili goshi’ when you were a little boy 25 years ago do you expect us to treat our children the same way today?
We are the most expensive destination in the south Asia. While the most expensive hotel in Bangkok cost around 100 US$ per day some of our resorts tops above 4000US$ per day. Still our living standard is so staggeringly undignified.
I am sure the hypocritical statement that “a guy who gets 200$ a month also drives 2,500$ motorcycle and carry 1000$ mobile phone” will be wobbling your mind already. This is not surprising as people were thought, fed and brainwashed to beg, bend down to the rich and ask for favors. And they easily got those fancy things they want but not daily salary. The government had no interest and no plane to empower the people, to make them live with what they own. There is no place in the country for those who would want to keep their dignity intact and deny the favors that will later slave them.
Did you every ask your self how many young couples are there forced to stay without married just because they have no place to live. How many anti-social behaviors that are created because of it? How many dads’ worry about how they are going to afford to buy nappy for their little ones at the end of the month. How many moms’ go to her relatives to beg for money because their husband can’t make enough? How many children are spoiled, abused misused or even raped at the hands of some distant relative or strange guardian because mommy and daddy had to work full time to afford the child’s tuition? Do you think about this? Or just force to ignore? Do you think about the fact that 80% of civil servants live little over 200US$ which forces them to beg, steal or be corrupt. Don’t you think about your state secret fat salary which most probably top 5000US$ has blurred your eyes and mind over the status of the ordinary man?
Ask your self these questions. You will feel ashamed when you open your political mouth again. You will learn that when people bully you with vulgar language and filth they are doing it with a reason. Cause you certainly deserve it.
Security, shelter, food, water cloths, druggies, daily robbery and street violence are our issues. Not the constitution which will be interpreted however you wish in the future. You’ve already shown the signs of it.
Good bye for now.

Dear Nasheed,

The day we all feared has finally arrived. The extremists have started their war. What on earth is wrong with this government??? You guys dont see this coming? Running after political oponents and forgetting everything else resulted this. Thieves are free on the streets. Drug dealers are running every where. Extremists are attacking tourists. If you guys cant stop this resign for the love of God and let capable people do things. After all its our country too. Its our future too.

Dear Hon Mr. Nasheed,

I know your the acting Attorney General right now and you can sue me for what I write in this blog in your kangaroo courts. That is why I am calling you honorable not because I am afraid and I respect you.

I am sorry that I cannot wait with out asking you that why have you not commented on any of the late comments which are posted in your blog. By being silent are you showing that you totally agree with the comments or are you expressing that you dont know how to spin the real facts in the most of the comments.

I also got to tell you that dont call public to do your job. If you cant do your job do what a sensible man would do. Public is too busy to make a living to survive in this expensive maldives. It is the only country where government earns profit on the basic utilities government provide and the utilities that people need to survive.

All these years government could control the birth of Maldives by educating the public. The government could educate the public about thaleseemia. But after about 30 years your government could not educate Maldivians about there rights or about democracy. And you need more days to on board people. This proofs that government dont want to educate Maldivians about democracy and their rights. Too bad for government some how Maldivians have learnt about their rights and democracy.

Average Maldivian life expectancy rate is arround 30 or 40 years. We have given Maumoon arround 30 years. That is a life time of a general Maldivian. Dont you think it is more than enough. We have given enough chances for Maumoon.

Dont forget you got your education from our hard earned money. You have study from the money of less fortunate Maldivians. You earned your LLb from the money of local fishermans. You have studied from the money of our tax payers.It is us Maldivians who have made you a educated person NOT Maumoon. So you owe a duty to pay Maldivians. Not in terms of money. But in terms of your actions. Interms of the knowledge you have gained.

I bet you will publish all these comments in a book and show the other side of the coin.

Rgds

ghadha alim

Dear Mr. Nasheed,

You are talking about on boarding people. The fact is that people are on board long before govenrment. It is the people who have to make government on board. Not visa versa.

It is the people of Maldives who made government to draw up the reform agenda. It is the people of Maldives who made government to recognise the political party. It is the people of Maldives who made government to reform the constitution.

Nomatter how hard you try you just cant take the credit from the people of Maldives. Dont talk about on boarding people.

Whethere government like it or not people have gain the knowledge and education they need to make this change. This political reform. Dont try to waste time by making excuses. The turn is government to deliver Not to the people of Maldives.

Sidey

Dear Mr Nasheed,

Are you the government spoke person or is Mr Hisain shareef the spoke person. Read the link below what he had said to telegraph Uk.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/09/29/wmaldives129.xml

"Mr Shareef said the park was crowded at the time of the blast, including with many locals breaking their fast during the holy Islamic month of Ramadan."

pls make note of this point and question him.

Now it's use less to debate. Especially about the first four chapter’s. Revising time allocated is over.

MDP Chairperson Mohamed Nasheed told MDP qaumee majlis last Wednesday that it is better “not to open the packed chapters by the drafting committee”; he asked MDP parliament member’s not to propose superfluous corrections and to propose each chapter intact for voting, in order to finish the constitution by November 2007.

We know very clearly that as long as (Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom) MAG is in power constitution cannot be amended perfectly. Perfectly in the sense the way people desires. We want to ensure that next year’s election is not a one man show. So, Mnasheed, don’t try to waste the limited time.

Dear Nasheed,

Please write about the terrorist attack. A lot of us are boiling inside with anger. Let us all express our outrage on this.

Thank you.

Dear Minister Nasheed,

Getting public opinion before making important decisions in this country is something new. People are used to things beings forced down their throat. So why seek public consulatation now? Some people wanted the public to decide on the form of government we should adopt, and you have adamantly stated that the people have given their verdict. But was that really a verdict by the people? Let alone the voting irregularites, were the voters given adequate information on the two types of government? Did they vote for a system or for something else? On another instance the government wanted to build a 5-star hotel in one of the few remaining open spaces in Male', were the public consulted? I certainly do not think so, and wonder why now.

Hey Mnasheed.

I have a question for you. What do you say about the government spokesperson thing and you? could it be true that you are looking to be the spokesman as well? and why would you want that. That's koz i doubt that you have the capability to do so, no that i am a fan of Mondhu.

Mr.Nasheed.
What would you say about alligations, that you want to be the next spokesperson for the govt as well. Above all, why would you want so. I seriously doubt, if you possess the capibility to be involved in such a massive scale, not that i am a fan Mondhu.

One more tthing. you still need to cut down on your writing. i wonder why you can't go streight to point. you say something, ten different ways, which is actually making it pointless. that wastes both resources that are valuable to you and me and everyone in general. instead, just provide us a brief of what you think. ppl will then be easily digesting your thoughts i guesss..

All the best.

Hi.
Very interesting site!
Thanks!