Editorial -Switching sides for the common good :: Dhivehi Observer

Editorial
Switching sides for the common good

By A. S. I. Moosa (Sappe'), 7th August 2005

There is an uneasy and disturbing feeling amongst some members of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and the public in general in welcoming former cabinet ministers and government officials. However, there are lots of advantages in welcoming those switching sides for the common good. What is important is to assess their intentions and give them the opportunity to prove their capability and see how well they contribute and integrate with the movement for democratic change in the Maldives.

Not everyone who has worked for Gayyoom is a poodle and we cannot discard them all from our society either. So, those in the government who are contemplating switching sides should take the bold step now before it is too late and join the movement. Removing Gayyoom from power is the only way to advance the cause of justice and freedom in our country and this must be the overriding principle of our actions. We need the opposition to be stronger and united if we are to achieve this sooner.

It is a fact that over the past 26 years, Gayyoom has ensured that no one in Maldives becomes popular and powerful enough to challenge him. For over 25 years, he achieved this quite successfully because the main concern and the key question everyone asked then and up until quite recently was "Who else is there in the Maldives to lead and be our President?". It was of course absurd and unreal to think that the our country had no one to lead except Gayyoom, the Dictator. This was a genuine issue raised not only by the Maldivians but also the foreign governments. However, the boat was rocked on September 2003 when people were able to witness in person the horrendous crimes Gayyoom had committed in killing Evan Naseem by beating him to death and killing others with guns.

It is difficult to keep your hands clean when working in government especially in high profile posts and Gayyoom spares no one in his attempt to lure people into corruption. If you are seen to be a man of your own will, Gayyoom feels threatened and quickly removes him from the position or gets him corrupted and promotes him to a high post. This explains why he had to rely on his family and closest friends to sustain his torturous regime for such a long time.

We have seen how well people who had been in Gayyoom's government can integrated into our movement and the significance of that as well. Former cabinet ministers Attorney General Dr. Munavvaru and Planning Minister Ibrahim Hussain Zaki joined MDP as soon as it was declared in Colombo in November 2003. Dr. Munavvaru brought with him his legal and constitutional expertise which strengthened the party. Mr. Zaki being is a well respected politician and diplomat in the region as he was also former Secretary General of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and able to expand the reach of MDP in the region and internationally as well. Their association with MDP has been quite positive and the public now have much respect and love for the work they are doing now. They were both detained after Black Friday Demonstration as well, which was to many a great sacrifice for the cause. So, their hard work and the fact they have now become key players of the reform movement is an example for many to emulate. Gayyoom and his cronies are afraid of loosing powerful people from their side but are not prepared to acknowledge and appreciate the hard work of many who have provided invaluable service to this country.

Today, we know that there are many capable people to lead the Maldives and for the first time in modern history they now have an opportunity to display their ability and aspirations to lead the nation. Time has come for those who feel used and abused by Gayyoom to change sides and join in the great endeavour to build a just and free society in the Maldives. Remember, as long as Gayyoom is in power, your dreams of leading the country or even playing an active role in its future will remain just that. To make it a reality, you must desert him and oppose him now. In the past this was not possible but now there is an organised opposition to Gayyoom's illicit government and you came make a difference now, so there are no excuses anymore.