:: Dhivehi Observer :: Peoples Press ::

Endemic Corruption in Maldives: Concrete Proof

Adam Zahir's building

Aneesa's building

Foreign Ministry's multiplex building

Editorial, 20 November 2004

Abdulla Shahid has a brand new 10 storey building. Mohamed Hussain has one. Ilyas Ibrahim has a building. Ahmed Abdulla has a building. Samarey has a building. Fathulla lives in a nice little palace, has a holiday retreat island. Mohamed Rasheed Ibrahim has one. Abdul Rasheed Hussain has one. Anbaree has a building. Umar Zahir has a building. Yameen has a building. Oh and Sobir has a building. Dr. Latheef has one too. Most deputy Ministers have buildings too; not humble homes but brand new buildings parts of which are rented. Endherimaage is a high rise multiplex city on its own. Who in the regime doesn't have a building?

Adam Zahir's building is almost finished. He can even close the road at will and put stuff on the pavement without needing permission from the municipality. Aneesa's building is nearly done. Who else? What else? Let's think!

Who gave Zahir Hussain that land plot for Haveeru and why? And why did Gayyoom's family members get all the Atholhu Fihaara from the Atolls Office. They rent out these shops at around Mrf 50,000 when they only have to pay Mrf 20,000 to the government. I don't think these are lies. Quite the contrary, these are facts. Concrete evidence of corruption and abuse of power by Gayyoom.

Dr. Hassan Saeed has now been given a plot for his building. Maafannu Public toilet plot. Another building for our developing nation. Finance Minister Jaleel has a plot near the Kunikoshi. Many regime supporters have plots there too.

Housing conditions in Male' are beyond comprehension. People live in horrible conditions and many families have lived and rented in Male' for years. There are even people from Male' without land, but who cares about them? As long as the regime leaders live in high rise buildings, Gayyoom is safe and secure. He knows that and uses that to his advantage.

There are advantages to being a cabinet minister or a powerful police officer and even a close friend of Gayyoom. No wonder they have no feelings for ordinary Maldivians.

Now to the government buildings: the MPA staff complex, two buildings for MTCC, Maldives Post Limited Building, Education Building, She building, President's Office, STO Aifaanu Building, STO this building and that building. Why on earth do we need a multi-storey Foreign Ministry complex? What are all these buildings for?

Why can't we first provide adequate facilities in the education and health sectors, and then treat our ministers and leaders? Wake up brothers and sisters, our wealth is not only misused, the little that is left is converted to concrete.

Why can't the government spend this money building schools and hospitals in the islands for the destitute people there - aren't they Maldivians too?