When I heard the news of the crowd that had gathered in front of the palace, my immediate reaction was to start switching channels - radio and television alike. I was saddened by the protest. I will explain why.
The pretext
The pretext for the protest last night was to urge the president to ratify the constitution right away, and warn him against sending the document to the special majlis for reconsideration.
One of the lead characters at the protest was the presidential candidate of Social Liberal Party, Ibrahim Ismail. He sits on my core group of parliamentarians with whom the stop gap measures needed for the immediate aftermath of the launch of the new constitution have been discussed.
It is with the blessing of the core group of parliamentarians that decisions have finally been taken to create (1) an enabling legislation for the orphaned rules; (2) expedite the police bill; (3) and consider the adoption of the criminal procedure code.
The idea of working on the adoption of the criminal procedure code was later abandoned based upon the wise counsel offered by Ibrahim Ismail, himself - that the criminal procedure code could be created as a set of regulations and added to the schedule of enabling legislation.
Those who led the way last night to the presidential palace knew very well that the president has chosen 30 July to ratify the constitution, and that he was giving time to the parliament to bring out the necessary stopgap legislations, and time for the administrative bodies to put the necessary mechanisms in place.
Definitely Ibrahim Ismail would know very well, where we are, what we plan to do, and when ratification is expected. In fact the phrase 'stop gap measures' has been a phrase picked from his interventions on the subject in the core group of parliamentarians.
Therefore, what I saw last night was nothing more than Ibrahim Ismail's hypocrisy.
The basis
There have been enormous attempts made by some opposition leaders in the media to blur the ordinary thinking as to what the role or the basis for the president's ratification process is. There has been serious work done in the media to show that the president does not have a choice but to ratify once the constitution is adopted. And that ratification is a mere formality.
One cannot be more misinformed than that. Constitution in this country is ratified in the same way as a bill or draft law is assented. Just like the president, as head of state, has the power to veto an ordinary legislation, he has similar powers to veto the constitution. Veto here simply refers to sending the bill back for reconsideration and refusal to place his signature on the document.
Article 102 of the constitution gives the president 90 days either to ratify the document or send it back for reconsideration or propose any amendments he considers appropriate. If he does not ratify, or even does not send the book back within the 90 day period, then constitution is deemed ratified on the lapse of 90 days.
If a political leader thinks that ratification is just a formality and not a legal process, like it has been quoted today on Haveeru online, the man lacks basic knowledge in our constitution. He only needs better counsel before he spells out his ignorance in the media. He has already suffered for talking too much about India and China.
The Stand
The president has been very clear on his stand. He would ratify as soon as he can, and will not take a moment longer than necessary. It would be the quickest process in the entire set of processes spent developing the constitution the last four years.
Every time I met the media, I have clarified the same point. Attorney General too has given the same explanation.
In fact, the president was about to announce the date of ratification on 21 July in a media briefing at his office at 2 pm. I had given a precursor to the event in the last Thursday Brief as well. I had shared that information with several local journalists who were following the developments. They were kind enough to keep the embargo I had created on the media briefing.
Speaker of the special majlis Qasim Ibrahim too knew the date of ratification has been set for 30 July. I told him last Saturday when he came to see me at my place. It was during that meeting that we even discussed how the advance copies may be printed for distribution as souvenir copies or special editions on 30 July.
The Spectacle
Then came the show near the palace, last night. The adjacent mosque was used for the politicians to gather. The mosque and the palace almost share one of the boundary walls, and, therefore, was easy access to the palace.
Had they come marching from a different location, access to the palace would not have been possible. So with careful deliberation, the mosque had been chosen for that political spectacle last night.
The media was informed in advance so that the spectacle could be created.
These are the same people who reassure us of their genuine and unhindered support in expediting the process, and going for a smooth ratification process. These are the people who know so well, the inside and outside of the matter. Yet, they pretended not to know anything, and showed their innocent urge to have the ratification completed without delay, as they wished the people of this country well, and that the people would not prosper without the constitution being brought into force.
The whole event was nothing but a major media event, a true political spectacle. Otherwise, who in their sane mind, would march up to the residence of the president and demand an audience right away.
There is a limit to all this. But the funny thing is this. They would expect us to be all civil and polite and endearing, when we meet again for work. Pathetic politics, really.
Every time, the government is close to achieving a milestone, some drama will be created so that it would appear as if it was done through their hard work and direct action.
The Image
The image they wanted to create, and what the media carried, was that they represented the people and the people wanted to urge the president to complete the ratification as soon as possible.
The image they want to build is that they represent the people of this country. It looks as if it was only them in this country.
What they do not know is this. The political party linked to the government does have the capacity to show its own strength on the streets of Male'. I can guarantee that they could be at least seven times greater in number than those who gathered near the palace last night. They could all be chanting the very opposite - please do not ratify the document as it is, please send it back for revision.
Why is it that they do not understand, that direct action, is not only possible by one party alone, or by a group who calls themselves 'the alliance' which unfortunately is nothing more than a sorry fiction, legally speaking.
Comments (29)
hahaha...! very funny.
Posted by Hameed | July 23, 2008 5:01 AM
Posted on July 23, 2008 05:01
So you think what we saw from the opposition at the Palace is hypocracy - not democracy.
Since its only a very thin line to separate the two, how would we distinguish between a democrat and a hypocrat?
You willingness to speak your mind is the right thing to do.
Posted by ?-cracy | July 23, 2008 9:36 AM
Posted on July 23, 2008 09:36
I have always voted for Maumoon in presidential elections out of my free will. but recently I have been thinking why dont I give a chance to this smart gentleman who is promising a smart solution to our drug problem, until I saw him on tv outside the Palace no different from those affected by drugs, trying to fool the public. So the question I ask myself now is 'Do we really have an laternative?' So sad
Posted by Disappointed | July 23, 2008 9:45 AM
Posted on July 23, 2008 09:45
Well written article. I don't think any Maldivian will fall for the lies the coalition is spreading. They are trying to defame the current goverment and its leaders. Rumours and heresay spread like wild fire in the Maldives. These days its hard to believe who is telling the truth. But its the responsibility of the goverment to speak out and tell the truth to the large Maldivian community. Its also time for the MDP chairman to apologise for the "slip of his tongue". May be he is already immune to the legal remifications or it never occured to him that he may be breaking the law by spreading lies and misinformaiton. All nothing but to sit in that presidential palace.
Posted by Above -The-Law | July 23, 2008 10:14 AM
Posted on July 23, 2008 10:14
very true Nasheed.
I believe the president will soon ratify cos he has so much pressure to do so. The gathering by the alliance is all a drama to get media attention.
I think Anni has matured over the years. We see him less on the streets. He speaks more of MDP policies and less criticism of government. This new attitude will get him support even from peace loving people sitting in homes. He should not work in a alliance where parties like Adhaalath (Taliban) and IDP (military)are active participants. Its not good for democracy.
Ibra should know where he stands now. It took so much time to form the party and there were no competition for party posts. The big players like Fayyaz (Ibra's brother)are too clever. They prefer doing business with Gayoom's son in law rather than to join the front line of the SLP. Ibra should also know that he was practically kicked out of MDP and he stands no chance in this election.
We are yet to see the emerging PA and Jumhoory Party actions and policies. Lets see how they perform?
Posted by Amjad | July 23, 2008 10:50 AM
Posted on July 23, 2008 10:50
I would not call the gathering a protest. Each and every "leader" of the opposition parties were fully aware of the process and why the Constitution has not been ratified. This was a cheap ploy created for political mileage. What they failed to realise was that the avearge public is more aware now. Judging by the comments in Haveeru, not even one comment supported the move, while most condemned it. From breaking news to the full article, this news had more comments then average.
Anni and Ibra should grow up. If they want to lead the people, lead by example. The comment by Anni, that they can meet the leaders of opposition parties is immature and does nothing except damage his position. I am fairly certain that the President would have met them individually or as a group, had they requested for a formal meeting.
Personally, I am dead against the Constitution and I have written a few comments on this blog explaining why I am against its current form. I would be happy if the President sends it back, but he has made it clear that he would reatify it. Hence I would be among the people who has been imposed the will of the majority whether I like it or not. Democracy is about the will of the majority being respected by the majority. however in this case, I am really not sure whether I am in the majority ot minority. Our elected officials do not represent our thoughts, hence passing from the Majlis does not necessarily make it acceptable by the majority of the people.
Posted by Ahmed | July 23, 2008 11:39 AM
Posted on July 23, 2008 11:39
Gosh - you are threatening the alliance with direct-action? You must be kidding Nasheed. The alliance will bring 10 times greater number of people than DRP can bring.
DRP does not have the capacity to show up at the street. The last time I saw them on the street they were wearing masks like terrorists and holding wooden sticks. That’s how the came up against MDP protesters. With all that also they fled running with fear of the great number of MDP protesters on the street.
Nasheed; lets check the facts.
President has 29 members directly appointed to the Special Majlis.
There is a DRP majority in the special Majlis through unfair elections.
Transitional chapter was created for the problems that would be for the government while the constitution is being adopted.
DRP rejected the transitional arrangement; and you called it an attempt to throw out the government
With all this it is unbelievable that government had forgot about the issues that you are mentioning now.
The truth is during the special majlis face of constitution you, the current government and the DRP was concentrated and concerned on one issue and on issue only. That is the re-election of Maumoon
Posted by Ahmed | July 23, 2008 1:25 PM
Posted on July 23, 2008 13:25
Anni is an activist. What more can you expect of him, except put bring people on to the road? He is a pedestrian politician. Put him in office, he is unlikely to tolerate similar stunts pulled by anyone else
Ibra, well, tried a fast one to hoodwink the government -- may be he suffers from temporary amnesia or he wanted to show off to the others that there was still some spark left in him.
They are all part of the megaphonic motely crew of politicians that are shamelessly greedy for power.
They aim to please -- provide action-packed entertainment to pedestrians and generously fill our air waves and tabloids with editorial matter.
I'm sure all these people are highly educated and experienced in men and matters. But they appear not to understand what they read -- perhaps its time to change the eye prescription, or why not the good doctor himself?
Posted by m | July 23, 2008 4:16 PM
Posted on July 23, 2008 16:16
Hear Hear..!
Well said Nasheed, and totally agree with you on this!
Stray dogs bark on the streets everywhere, bark at humans sometimes. But this doesn't mean that they are right, or that they outnumber human beings. They should be gagged up and locked up, but in this so-called 'transitional' phase into a 'liberal' democracy in the Maldives, unfortunately most of them are on the loose, on the streets, disrupting normality. This is because 'democracy' is a one-way street for them, and so in their actions it translates to 'hypocracy', and what we see is 'anarchy' (by the very people who profess to be 'reformists'). But its good that the vast majority of Maldivians know the difference between stray dogs on the street, and normal human beings, and take them for what they are - just loose stray dogs! Whatever happens, stray dogs can never become or act like decent ordinary citizens, isn't it? :)
Posted by DRP Rules! | July 23, 2008 4:41 PM
Posted on July 23, 2008 16:41
It is a very cheap and desperate stunt by the opposition. Anni is getting more and more desperate each day. In his recent visit to India he blamed Gayyoom for disturbing the balance of power of the region. Next these guys will blame Gayyoom for the bad weather.
But I have to give credit to Anni. He managed to get all the party leaders on the street who earlier refused and criticized Anni for going for direct action. Anni also made people like Hassan Saeed and DR Shaheed to get into Haruge under MDP flag who ealier said that haruge is a terrorist hub and named MDP as a terrorist group. Anni also managed to get the so called religious club Adhaalath to start the trouble from a mosque near the palace. Anni made Ibra demonstrate on the road. Anni as usual made a clown out of Umar Naseer and the other guy from MNC.
Anni is proving himself to the people while proving others wrong.
So we can say Gayyoom and Anni are 2 very smart leaders.
Posted by Ali | July 24, 2008 1:13 AM
Posted on July 24, 2008 01:13
Well Nasheed.. what great twist here... especially on the comments... I have never seen even a 5% positive comment on your blog so far except for this article...
You stayed up the whole night writing comments eh?.. changing character right?.... MPD I suppose?..hehe
You guys are good at spinning... straight from H&K right?... Anyway.... Goodluck to you as you will be remembered like the musicians on Titanic "who sank with the ship"
And I do have other blogs that I can post this comment...
Posted by samy | July 24, 2008 3:53 AM
Posted on July 24, 2008 03:53
The constitution being amened and it ratified is not something that we should glorify as a milestone. This is something that we have to do to get access to the civilised world. There's no choice, but to do this! So, don't try to divert this whole thing as something the Maummoon-administration did; this came about due to the undisputed pressure by Anni.
Posted by Hatharu Golaa | July 24, 2008 11:28 AM
Posted on July 24, 2008 11:28
The constitution being amended and it ratified is not something that we should glorify as a milestone. This is something that we have to do to get access to the civilised world. There's no choice, but to do this! So, don't try to divert this whole thing as something the Maummoon-administration did; this came about due to the undisputed pressure by Anni.
Posted by Hatharu Golaa | July 24, 2008 11:28 AM
Posted on July 24, 2008 11:28
Hi Nasheed,
It seems two people can use the same nick here. I just want to menton that the "Ahmed" who commented
"Gosh - you are threatening the alliance with direct-action?....." is not me (you will know, but the readers won't).
The person better read the article again. I definitely could not see a threat in the article.
Posted by Ahmed | July 24, 2008 2:44 PM
Posted on July 24, 2008 14:44
All I can see at the alliance are political thugs,bunch of activists, nobody will call you guys politicians. yes Nasheed you are right, DRP can bring out not only 10 times but 20 times more than the whole alliance can bring on to the streets.. If you thugs dont believe in that lets roll? you thugs want to play the hard ball?, then lets play the hard ball..
Posted by Mohamed | July 24, 2008 3:48 PM
Posted on July 24, 2008 15:48
Its very clever of Anni,i would say. he managed to bring all those people who had blamed him for uprising in earlier.
Credibility lost- Dr. Hassan Saeed and Ibrahim Ismail plus Umar Naseer are nothing!! a sign that Anni is more influential than any other in the political arena in the Maldives!
Posted by mode | July 24, 2008 5:01 PM
Posted on July 24, 2008 17:01
Dear Nasheed,
Why are you using your personal blog as a venue to give such important government and national news?? Even in the case of a non-important news, I'm sure you very well know that you simply cannot use your personal blog as a 'mouthpiece' of government matters! Where are your ethics and professionalism??
Its high time you left that post for someone who at least know how to differentiate between personal and government business!
Posted by Muiz | July 24, 2008 5:11 PM
Posted on July 24, 2008 17:11
Dear Nasheed,
This is the most disappointing, unprofessional and mean article you have ever written in this blog. What do you expect from Politicians?? Comon on now! Are you kidding? And no, everybody who doesnt belong to those parties arent DRP either!
Posted by Reader | July 24, 2008 6:44 PM
Posted on July 24, 2008 18:44
hey nasheedh,
how u feel about DRP and 2008 presidential vote
WHO WILL WIN?????????????
Posted by aishath leesa | July 24, 2008 8:50 PM
Posted on July 24, 2008 20:50
Dear Nasheed,
I talked to a friend in the Special Majlis and from what I gathered there are a few points that I would like to ask you. I know that you do not carry the weekly reply to comments now, however if you would consider a reply I would appreciaate it.
From what we general public undertand, the draft constitution was sent to the Special Majlis (SM) with some recommendations by the President and a commitee of the Majlis went about the work of editing and making some changes.
After the changes were brought, the Constituion was voted as whole. What was glaring on that day was 2 of the best lawyers in Maldives, whom I respect very much did not vote.
My question is whether the changes brought about by the Comittee were such that the essence of that particualr Article changes? If so, don't you feel that any such article should have been voted for in the Majlis floor?
I have read the draft from Haveeru and also compared it against the set I have (which were published on Haveeru as they were passed). There are some which makes a huge difference just because of chaanging a single word.
Is there anything going on which the public should know? I feel that all these issues be made public. The public has every right to know.
Posted by Ahmed | July 25, 2008 10:42 AM
Posted on July 25, 2008 10:42
Hi,
Interesting article from you for a change. People who read this article should also read the article at the below link:
http://ibra2008.blogspot.com/
Posted by umar | July 25, 2008 11:38 PM
Posted on July 25, 2008 23:38
Hmmm... Changes in the constitution huh! I hope these changes were not the cause of the constitution being and sent back to majlis. If it is, president must cautious and i'm confident he will be.
Great post. Loved every bit of it.
Posted by Yasiph | July 26, 2008 1:02 AM
Posted on July 26, 2008 01:02
Mr. Minister! It is impossible for you to bring people to the streets to support Zaeem. Never and I mean NEVER. Even if they (Ibra and Gasim) knew, about the retification process, why should they trust Zaeem, while they knew him better than you. He may change his mind anytime. Besides, you yourself explained on TV after the protest that Zaeem considered sending the constitution back to the Majilis but still taking time to think about it. What are you talking about Mr. Minister. How can they be sure of it even when Zaeem and his Information Minister are not sure of their minds!
Remember, there were also children even infants in houses of Kerafaa Neseem, Kuvaa Mohadey and Abdul Hannan, when Zaeen sent his people to shout at them infront of their houses. Wouldn't they get afraid, wouldn't they cry. Go hell with your half AG, Azima and alike. You are a puppet just like the other puppets of Zaeem's cabinet. Long live 'The Alliance'. Long live Anni and the rest of our leaders.
Posted by Fuad Gasim | July 26, 2008 10:04 AM
Posted on July 26, 2008 10:04
Well its really doesn't seem you make much sense when the parties concerned are able to reply to your pathetic justifications and ramblings.You just keep on believing everything that comes out of the devil....
Posted by dying | July 26, 2008 3:19 PM
Posted on July 26, 2008 15:19
So after shouting that the government is illegal the opposition is now recognising the legitimacy
Posted by gg | July 26, 2008 9:14 PM
Posted on July 26, 2008 21:14
Anybody who has read this post must read Mr. Ibrahim Ismail response found here: http://ibra2008.blogspot.com/
Posted by Reader | July 26, 2008 10:45 PM
Posted on July 26, 2008 22:45
Mr. Nasheed! it seems that you are only one now left to defend Gayoom's dictatorship and the moment you resign he will start singing like a canary!
Posted by Hameed | July 27, 2008 1:09 AM
Posted on July 27, 2008 01:09
Nasheed, Nasheed, My poor Nasheed. You were a good man. People had high hopes from you... But the Dictator is ruining you... Bit by bit he us defaming you... You are losing your credibility... Other Ministers are resigning and who knows when another will fall.. Nasheed, Nasheed... Get outa there before its too LATE... Just get outa there... This maybe the last chance to go down in History as one who saved this country rather than someone who helped to destroy it...
Look at Mai.. People respected him before he joined the Dictator... People adored him... But his friends see him as one great coward, who is too chicken to even mentioned the word 'resignation'... But you're not Mai... You have the guts...
Nasheed, Nasheed... When will you come to your senses.....
Posted by ishmael | July 27, 2008 5:27 AM
Posted on July 27, 2008 05:27
Hey..while calling Ibra a hyprocrite what wud u call Gasim? Is he a hyprocrite too? Didnt he play a major role in this spectacle...much bigger role than Ibra??
Posted by Duke77 | July 27, 2008 5:04 PM
Posted on July 27, 2008 17:04