Development came like gentle waves washing ashore on the beautiful white sandy beaches, never consistent but like the changing tides persistent and tirelessly, through the efforts of many of its great leaders and friendly hardworking people.
As most will agree, the past is just nothing more than a fading shadow of the future.
Let me shine a light at the umbra of recent Maldivian leaders, some has crippled development while others had laid the foundation for today’s success.
“Mohamed Amin Didi was the first democratic president of Maldives. After the death of Sultan Majeed Didi and his son Prince Hassan Fareed Didi, the members of the parliament elected Amin Didi as the next person in line to succeed the sultan. But Amin Didi is known to have said: "for the sake of the people of Maldives I will not accept the crown and the throne". A referendum was held, with the support of the people, he abolished the 812-year-old sultanate and on 1 January 1953 became the first president of the Republic of Maldives. He is also the first leader of the first political party of Maldives, Rayyithunge Muthagaddim Party. Well known for his efforts to modernize the country, which included the advancement of women, education, nationalizing the fish export industry and an unpopular ban on tobacco smoking.
Ibrahim Nasir started civil aviation and was the pioneer of tourism industry. Some of his well-known feats include commencing radio and television, mechanizing the “dhoni” – Maldivian sailboat and instituting modern educational curriculum in English medium to schools. His no-nonsense attitude and strict authoritarian rule made it impossible for the imperialistic British to divide the country. Ultimately winning the independence from British on 26 July 1965.
Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom catapulted Maldives from the least developed 20 countries into a developing nation. The long authoritarian rule known to supporters as “Golden 30 Years” was an era of peace and prosperity. He was the key figure in bringing the perils of low-lying island nations to the attention of the world - a man for all islands. Environment was kept on the forefront during his time of developing Maldives. Without a doubt, he was the pioneer in building flats to create housing, in a country deficient of land - 99% of Maldives is sea. It was during his last term that Maumoon brought modern day democracy to Maldives, mainly because of domestic and international pressure.” (Referred from http://mageyvazan.blogspot.com)
Mohamed Nasheed was sworn in with hopes of the youth in his pocket and an invaluable opportunity to establish, strengthen democracy and good governance. Some were foolish enough to believe his absurd promises such as running the country with a laptop and money earned from two resorts. Few of his more promising pledges include connecting Maldives via a nationwide public transport network. However, as expected by his opponents, mismanagement and his hidden pervert lust for power, slowly evolved him into a brutal dictatorial monster. The very thing he was supposed to be fighting against. Just a few atrocities from his long list include the unconstitutional assignment of eight presidential parliament members, appointed local councils, family and loyalist friends chosen to the cabinet, choking back state broadcasting channels into total control (which only in the last five years of Maumoon’s authoritarian rule had breathed an air of freedom), participating and allowing his loyalist’s to carryout record breaking amount of corruption in Maldives history, locking up Supreme Court, kidnapped a serving judge and jailing nearly all the opposition leaders. Up until Nasheed, Maldives enjoyed a peaceful and stable relationship with all foreign countries but his inability and inexperience caused him to rely on overseas colleagues, opening doors to external countries to meddle with Maldivian foreign policy and ultimately its sovereignty. During his short three years of fanatical rule, the debt rose by MVR23 billion, the price of all goods nearly doubled, Maldivian Ruffiya devalued by more than 20 percent, dollar rate skyrocketed from MVR12.85 to almost MVR20 in the black market. Other than the economy moving forward a little in the first year, from the momentum of Maumoon era, it spiraled uncontrollably to a head-on collision with total failure.
Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik became president as a byproduct of the inevitable resignation of his partner Nasheed. Politically in one of the most turbulent times and for someone without any political muscle, the performance and leadership shown by Dr. Waheed was astounding. In his short term, he started healing the bruised economy and mended frayed foreign ties. Increasingly high dollar rate was brought under control and the derailed train of development was guided back onto track. He was a master of diplomacy.
President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, came to power from the shadows of his half-brother former president Maumoon. Valuable innumerable services to the country by Yameen, during the long 30 years of rule by Maumoon, was almost invisible and obscure to the general public. President Yameen was a man of action, he was shy, private, funny around friends and chose the limelight only unless it was unavoidable.
At the start of his presidency Yameen was just a silhouette of his half-brother Maumoon.
To rise from beneath the towering shadow of his half-brother, called by some as the “father of development”, wouldn’t be an easy task for anyone but considered insurmountable.
His opponents criticized that he was just a puppet of his big brother, all the shots were being called out by Maumoon and in reality, the country was being run by Maumoon. Now the truth is out in the open. With the always inherent difference in opinions between them brazenly displayed to the public.
President Yameen has become a brand by itself. A trademark of development and prosperity.
Within a short span of a couple of years President Yameen has achieved more than one could dream in a lifespan.
His major accomplishments include, however yet not finished is the famous bridge between Male’ and Hulhule, a structure that eluded three presidents.
Fulfilled his promise of providing Rufiyaa 5000 to every Maldivian above the age of 65, bringing smiles and tears of joy to the elderly.
Invigorated the health sector, pulsing considerable amount of advancement to its heart. Some key achievements include opening a pharmacy in every local island, ongoing 25 story building extension works to Indhira Ghandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), construction works of hospitals in local islands plus the state of the art Tree Top Hospital in Hulhumale and upgrading Aasandha (free medical service to Maldivians) - an idea planned by Maumoon and executed by Nasheed. By removing the 1 lakh barrier limit from Aasandha, President Yameen has made it an unlimited healthful medical service to all Maldivians.
Developing the gateway to Maldives – Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA), has been a key priority in President Yameen’s long-term development goals. As a true economist, President Yameen deciphers the current limitations of INIA as a choking bottle neck for development. One of the major constraints lead to curbing tourist arrivals and hence restrictions on the expansion of tourism sector. Most of the obstacles in this colossal project has been cleared and the road paved to complete the mammoth tasks ahead. It will be the largest project in the history of Maldives - a billion-dollar investment.
A selfless leader, who is willing to sacrifice his political career for the best interest of the nation and its people. He has boldly removed the subsidies provided by government on flour, sugar and rice, arranging to provide them only to the poor. A widely despised move and one which would cost him many votes. Subsidies was dragging the country into debt. The staggering amount was Rufiyaa 350 million per year and increasing unchecked. More than 40 percent of the funds were being diverted to feeding foreign labour.
Even though President Yameen is not perceived as an environmentalist, in three short years, he has doubled the renewable energy from 1 to 2 megawatts and his policy of generating 30% of electricity through renewable sources is being achieved by many islands.
Another great visionary idea of President Yameen is building of the Youth City – the city of hope. Most ambitious land reclamation and urban development project undertaken by the Government of Maldives and already the mega reclamation work of Hulhumale second phase has been completed. Hulhumalé is being developed as a modern Smart city with a focus on youth and providing opportunities with the necessary infrastructure to encourage the creative entrepreneurship of the youth of the nation.
Country is developing in full gear, new harbours, harbour renovations, land reclamations, shore protections, government buildings, mosques, airports, water and sewerage works is being completed at an unbelievable rate. With the current trend President Yameen is expected to outdo the combined works of all the previous governments.
The economy is in good shape. Reserve has increased, inflation below 1 percent and recurrent expenditure of the government have been brought down from 80% to 60% of the central budget, allowing to increase public sector investments to double. Dollar has been stable yet currently on the high side of MVR17 in the parallel market. Recently the country was included in the Moody's credit ratings and it was set at B2 with a stable outlook. In general, a credit rating is used by sovereign wealth funds, pension funds and other investors to gauge the credit worthiness of Maldives thus this will have a big impact on the country's borrowing costs.
In a country, deficient of land the dreams of many Maldivians is to own proper housing and this obligation has been met with vehement zealous by President Yameen. His government is constructing more housing projects then the governments of the past 50 years combined. Already the cost of these units has been brought down by as much as 50%, allowing a truly affordable social housing scheme and surely soon the hopes of many Maldivians will be housed in reality.
Present day, we see shades of darkness surrounding the governing party, Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), by the power struggle and political tug of war between President Yameen and Maumoon. Political atmosphere for PPM is creeping with dark shadows of mistrust, deep cracks of division and shrouded in despair.
As per the famous saying “too many cooks spoil the broth”, is it time for Maumoon to retire from politics and let President Yameen lead the country to prosperity? Is it time to sit back and relax, giving invaluable advice and criticism, where necessary? Is it time to let go? Of course, Maumoon’s backing was vital reinforcement in Yameen winning the election but does that mean he has to authorize, even the appointment of the secretary to the president’s office? The president in power is Yameen.
Now the big questions are, after all what President Yameen has done for the country, will he be able to muster enough votes to win the 2018 election in the first round, without the backing of Maumoon? If not, will Maumoon join the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party in the second round?
In the views of many, the dim shimmering light at the end of the tunnel has cast many mockingly spiteful dancing shadows of doubt, yet the confidence is not shattered completely because rising from the shadows, President Yameen has become a beacon of hope for Maldivians.
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