Talking Point

I must apologize to DhiFM for the comment I made on my post if that comment offended the station or its management. The intention was not to hurt anyone as such, but to explain the matter as I saw it, as I felt it, and as I understood it.

Happy May 3rd. Happy Press Freedom Day.

"May the Press Be Fair to You" said Amal Jayasinghe wishing me, via a text message, press freedom day greetings this May 3rd. A Sri Lankan by nationality and a journalist of international credence, Jayasinghe has covered the Maldives for over two decades or more. His assessment is seen to be a credible basis for many international agencies and stakeholders to appreciate the Maldives reform process and media development. Head of the AFP bureau in Colombo, he is now on assignment in Iraq. I wish him a safe and peaceful stint.

The ceremony held to mark the World Press Freedom Day brought the issue of offensive websites once again to the fore. Maldives Human Rights Chief and guest of honor at the Press Freedom Day event made it clear in his remarks that he supported no internet censorship. He was also quite clear on the point that tearing people's character apart in the name of freedom was a violation of human rights.

Rules on Freedom of Information or Right to Information came into effect 4 May 2008 at 1030 hours. They came into effect when the president placed his signature on a presidential decree to launch those Rules.

I have seldom thanked the President or a cabinet colleague publicly. I believe that all of us are doing work we are supposed to do in our respective capacities. That no obligation exists to thank for work we ought to do by reason of our jobs. That we are not doing a favor for our country but we are simply doing what we ought to be doing if we remain in our jobs.

On 18 April 2008, I completed a year running this blog. On 7 May 2008, I completed 200 posts. Within the year, I have posted 3052 comments.

Dr Mohamed Latheef, President of the Civil Service Commission asked me if I could speak at the event held today to initiate the first orientation program for the first batch of permanent secretaries. I accepted the invitation of the civil service chief.

After months of hibernation, today, we sanctioned "Think Nation". Designed first in December 2007 for a period of six months, and shared with some NGO activists in April 2008, the project is now revamped to be a high dose two week campaign. Compacted for current requirements, the campaign is to be manned by a special team collected by or working for the Information Services Department ("ISD") of the Legal Reform and Information Ministry.

The chaotic weather patterns coupled with lesser levels of production are perhaps causing staple food prices to go havoc. The high demand for consumption and tremendously depreciating value of the dollar are perhaps dictating spiraling increases to crude oil prices.

This Wednesday, the draft agreement to be concluded with political parties on equal access to state media has been compiled. It is now being dispatched to political parties and presidential contenders for their comments. A second round of consultations with them is expected to happen early next week. Those consultations would be confined to perimeters of that particular draft agreement. If no major issues arise of the draft, it is quite probable that the agreement may be signed and sealed inside the same week.

Someone said that a "sister is one who reaches for your hand and touches your heart." Today, I have been thinking about my younger sister, and I feel that the quote explains my emotions today pretty well.

The current Maldives constitution mentions three types of citizens. It has no provision that requires professing Islamic faith to be a condition of citizenship. In other words, the current constitution does not say in any provision that Maldivians must be Moslems. I have had to explain that often to visiting delegations or overseas journalists or international stakeholders

The President's Office issued a directive today directing all government agencies to prepare for and comply with the Rules on Right to Information launched earlier on 4 May 2008. The directive issued by the President's Office on the date of 18 May 2008 is significant for several reasons: it formally informs government departments that the Rules are introduced and they would be enforced by the Information Ministry; it connects all government departments and the Information Ministry on RTI matters; it guides government departments to work with the Ministry to find the best way forward to enforce RTI in the Maldives.

The much anticipated parliamentary channel is unlikely to happen this year, due to financial constraints, the finance ministry has advised me.

My former landlord, Abdul Aleem has taken a sensational step to do his bit, to seek a media fiasco. He is suing a serving cabinet minister, in court - perhaps a first in the country's recent memory.

The recent media reports on possible presidential candidates, likely vice-presidential choices, favorite contenders and major power brokers in the upcoming presidential elections make fascinating reading.

At the beginning of this month, the information ministry launched a weekly newsletter to inform the foreign media and international stakeholders about the ongoing reform and constitutional process.

Chief Justice of the High Court Mohamed Rasheed Ibrahim has written to almost all members of the Special Majlis over the imminent loss of his post once the revised constitution takes effect. The development has been reported in some local newspapers as well.

The President is expected to place his signature on the Employment Bill sometime during Monday, 26th April.

When the Civil Service Act came into force this May, some parliamentarians of the political party linked to government, were served notice of dismissal from their government jobs. They went to court challenging the decision of the Civil Service Commission. The Commission responded by saying that they acted within the civil service law. In turn, the parliamentarians argued that the relevant portion of the Civil Service Act was against the constitution.