Maldives: Coastal flooding OCHA Situation Report No. 1

This situation report is based on information received from the Maldives' National Disaster Management Center, the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in the Maldives, as well as from the OCHA Regional Office for Asia and Pacific in Bangkok.

SITUATION

1. A series of wave surges of varying magnitude hit about 35 islands in 13 Atolls across the Maldives on 15-17 May 2007, causing inundation up to 600m from the coastline. Southern atolls of the Maldives, especially Seenu and Gaafu Dhaalu, were particularly affected due to their flatness as well as their location in the open sea. The wave that affected the southern atolls had wavelength of 350 – 433 meters, which doubled in height as it approached the coastline.

2. The disaster resulted in no human casualties, although four persons were wounded and some 1649 people were evacuated.(1) 217 housing units were damaged and 258 more were otherwise affected by the flooding. Three days of wave swells caused extensive damage to the home gardens and other means of livelihood; 43 vegetation sites were destroyed, about 15 sea vessels were damaged. The disaster caused partial damage to a number of harbour and jetties as eroded sections of beaches and coastline walls.

3. The seawater incursion contaminated the wells and the groundwater table, causing shortage of drinking water in some islands. Septic tanks were damaged or filled with seawater, causing sewage to flood some areas. The tide also flooded some landfills and scattered trash throughout the affected area, raising sanitation concerns. Cleaning-up operations are in progress.

4. The healthcare facilities were not damaged and have assisted the affected populations. No major outbreaks were reported. Nevertheless, cases of tsunami-related trauma among the population, including children, were reported. The schools were not affected and continue to function on schedule.

5. A Rapid Assessment Team, comprised of Government personnel and IFRC and UN counterparts, was deployed on 19 May 2007 to conduct a rapid assessment of five islands of Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll: Fares-Maathodaa, Fiyoare, Rathafandhoo, Nadellaa, and Madaveli. The assessment is to focus on infrastructure, health, water-sanitation, livelihood, environment and emergency relief needs. The final report is expected to be released by Government of Maldives in the next few days.

II. NATIONAL RESPONSE

6. The Government of Maldives provided emergency relief assistance (food, water supply, mattresses) to the affected communities. A mobile water desalination plant had been dispatched by the Government's National Disaster Management Center.

7. The Department of Meteorology has been monitoring the weather situation and issued warning information to communities. The National Disaster Management Center provided updated situation reports of the island situation as well as coordinated Government's assessment and emergency relief assistance efforts.

8. The Government of Maldives issued an appeal for assistance to the international community. It also made a formal appeal for assistance to the UN Secretary General to assist in the immediate relief and early recovery efforts.

III. INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE

9. UNICEF provided ten water tanks and five rain-water harvesting kits to the most affected Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. IFRC is preparing provision of drinking water in Gaafu Dhaalu atoll. American Red Cross is organizing a parents-teachers meeting to assess stress levels among children.

10. WHO is coordinating with the Ministry of Health on possible health assistance that may be required. UNDP is liaising with national authorities in order to provide support in the areas of livelihoods recovery and coordination. OCHA has offered the UN Resident Coordinator its assistance in coordinating international response, as well as technical assistance in environmental impact assessment and disaster prevention and risk reduction.

11. The UN System and IFRC are awaiting the report of the rapid assessment team to identify next steps and will accordingly update partners.

Maldives Beats Sweden into Second Life

From Radio Sweden:

Sweden’s plans to be the world’s first country to open an embassy in the virtual reality of Second Life have been dashed, after the small island nation of the Maldives, said it had opened its own embassy in the computer-generated world.

Sweden was hoping to be the first country to have a presence in Second Life, when it opens its embassy there on May 30, moved up from the original starting date of June 1.

The internet-savy Swedes have however been pipped at the post by the tiny island nation. Officials for the Maldives say they did not know Sweden had planned to open an embassy in Second Life.

SR International - Radio Sweden

The point is what the Maldives done? Did someone at a government ministry sign up for a Second Life account, buy an off-the-shelf house, and call it an embassy? Anybody can do that.

Here’s one report:

The embassy will be located in the “Diplomatic Quarter” of Second Life, and visitors will be able to talk to a virtual diplomat about visas, trade and other issues.

An official from the Maldives mission in Geneva will actually create their own ‘avatar’, or computer-generated character, to deal with visitors ‘face-to-face’.

The Maldives Virtual Embassy

The Maldives Virtual Embassy has the unique distinction of actually being the first RL embassy in SL, beating the upcoming Swedish Embassy by 8 days. The build itself more resembles a beachside retreat than an embassy, but it is very welcoming. Once inside the compound, though, its true nature asserts itself. There are clickable placards which disseminate information about various governmental agencies in the Maldives, as well as their thoughts on environmental policies, sustainable development, and human rights reform.

The Maldives Embassy is the product of work by the Diplo Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps countries communicate and participate with the worldwide community. Macedonia and the Philippines also have embassies coming to SL, but it's not known at this time if Diplo will be behind their construction.

The Benevolent Dictator

The time has come! George W. Bush has shown us that we no longer need Congressional approval for important decisions like declarations of war or usurping of civil rights. His administration has effectively blocked all means of an ineffective Congress to reign him in. He has effectively used the guarded protocols of the Presidency to control all three branches of the Federal Government of the United States of America. Read More

Seyku

Bangladesh offers 1 mln USD in cash for flood victims in Maldives

The Bangladeshi government on Tuesday announced an offer of 1 million U.S. dollars in cash as relief for flood victims in the Maldives.

Bangladeshi caretaker government Chief Advisor Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed Tuesday telephoned President of the Maldives Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and conveyed his deepest sympathy at the devastation caused by the widespread flooding in his country.

Earlier, President Gayoom had addressed Ahmed a letter stating the extent of the damages following what he described as an environmental emergency and requesting assistance and support from friends.

Bangladesh and the Maldives are members of the eight-nation South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

Bangladesh offers 1 mln USD in cash for flood victims in Maldives

The Bangladeshi government on Tuesday announced an offer of 1 million U.S. dollars in cash as relief for flood victims in the Maldives.

Bangladeshi caretaker government Chief Advisor Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed Tuesday telephoned President of the Maldives Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and conveyed his deepest sympathy at the devastation caused by the widespread flooding in his country.

Earlier, President Gayoom had addressed Ahmed a letter stating the extent of the damages following what he described as an environmental emergency and requesting assistance and support from friends.

Bangladesh and the Maldives are members of the eight-nation South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

Huyya Dhaithaa

Minivan Radio Loses Out In Frequency Bids

Private broadcasting in the Maldives moved a step closer as the Telecommunications Authority (TAM) announced the winners of broadcast frequencies on Tuesday. Frequencies were awarded for five national radio stations, a national television channel and several local radio stations limited to single atolls.

The winning companies must now sign Agreements with the Information Ministry before the first broadcasts take place.

But the launch of government-licensed private broadcasting may signal the death of Minivan Radio, the opposition station which has pioneered independent broadcasting in the Maldives since 2004, after its parent company failed to win a frequency.
Ahmed Naseer, the station’s founder, told Minivan News, “It is not the end of Minivan Radio. Not getting a license from this government, which is illegitimate in my opinion, is not an obstacle.”

But current editor Fathimath Shaheeda said “it is too early to say what the plan is. Honestly, I can’t see other stations buying our content. We will wait and see.”

“In some ways it is a good thing as we will not have to sign an agreement with the Information Ministry. The time will come for to sign agreements with the government, but it is not yet,” she added.

Boh Boh Boh

HOW THE LION BENEFITS FROM THE LITTLE ANIMALS' POVERTY

One day all the little animals went up to the King of the Jungle and complained about their poverty, and in particular about the fact that every time, during the dry season, they had to travel long distances to drink the precious fluid, and demanded a WATER WELL be built for them... They cited how the resources that they contributed to the kingdom were wasted in WARS and EXTRAVAGANT PROJECTS to the tastes of the King... He, however, replied with all kinds of excuses: the lack of resources, that it wasn't a matter of him not wanting it, but that it was a matter of "priorities" --which was one of his favorite words...

Meanwhile, an Owl --who had very good eyes-- had been observing life in the jungle, and thought this way: "Every time there's a dry season the little animals must come to the little dirty waterhole where the Lion waits for them... Had they been well fed and strong, he would have had to run after them and even risk resistance. And, more importantly, the little animals are forced to fight the Lion's wars as the quick way out of poverty..."

And that's how the Owl landed an important --and well paid-- post in the brand new Astronomy Department created by the King of the Jungle --to the effect of exploring life in other planets

Golha Is Planning To Visit Addu and Huvadhoo

Reliable Sources have confirmed Golha is planning to visit addu and huvadhoo during the next 48 eight hours. He is trying to play a media campaign to get international donors to help. He has previously asked for international help to rebuild the islands after the recent tidal waves

No No My Dear Dont Do That

Fahala Saeed Appeal Begins

Minivan Daily Journalist, Abdulla (Fahala) Saeed’s appeal against drug offences began at the High Court on Sunday.

Fahala, known for articles critical of the government and their use of violence, was sentenced to life imprisonment in April 2006 for possession with intent to supply heroin.

He claims drugs were planted in his trouser pockets during a police search, after officers had earlier emptied his pockets in his presence and found nothing.
At Sunday’s appeal, Fahala’s lawyer Husnu-al-Suood argued the charges were false and a “deliberate attempt to hurt him.”

Suood asked the judge to consider why the drugs were not found during the first search, but inside Fahala’s trouser pockets, only after he had stripped naked, and his trousers had been taken away by police and brought back.

“It took the police five minutes to find four packets of drugs in Fahala’s pocket. This gives them ample time to plant the drugs in his pocket,” he says.

Suood condemned the Criminal Court’s reliance on witness statements by two officers which contradicted each other. One statement says the officers stood behind Fahala while the strip search was taking place, the other says they were standing one foot in front of Fahala.
"The chances of winning are very small. I am not very hopeful as the High Court is more conservative than the lower courts,” Suood said on prospects for the appeal.

"We want to give it a maximum fight. The only weakness in the case is that Fahala was sentenced in the 1990's for drug abuse and the current charges are based on that,” he added.

A date for the next hearing will be set once the Judge, Adam Mohamed, has considered the case.

MDP Haruge at Dhunfinige is re-opening tonight

The famous 'Dhunfinige' Haruge is going to be re-opened tonight and party members will be able to interact and debate the on-going party election campaign. The deal was made possible by Presidential candidate Ibrahim Hussain Zaki, who said that he welcomed other candidates to use the facility for their campaigns as well. "I believe this will revive party's spirit and welcome all candidates to use the facilities here," said Zaki. Haruge will be open every night from 9pm. Haruge at Dhunfinige was demolished by Golhaabo in August 2005 as it was the most popular place for reformists to gather and exchange ideas.

Saheen Hameedh Could Face A Vote Of No-confidence

Island Development Committee Elections Postponed

The government has announced that elections for interim Island Development Committees (IDCs) will be postponed.

Waheed Deen, Minister of Atolls Development, told Minivan News on Thursday that the elections, which had been scheduled for June 1, would now be held after the national referendum to decide the new system of government.

IDC election campaigns will begin within 30 days of the referendum being completed, says Deen. No date has been set for the poll to decide on the system of government, and parliament is still preparing the final details.

The opposition, which had announced its intention to contest the elections on June 1, has dismissed the announcement as a “façade,” saying it is another attempt by the government to play for time and stall democratic reform.

Mohamed Nasheed (Anni), Chairman of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) claims the government is afraid to face the public in democratic elections

Maldives sink ‘Sri Krishna’ hijacked by Sea Tigers

by Shamindra Ferdinando http://www.lankaweb.com

Of the nine-member crew, four died in the confrontation with the Coast Guard vessel Huravee. The Maldivians rescued four Sea Tigers and an Indian believed to be the captain of the vessel who jumped overboard shortly after Huravee confronted the intruding vessel. Two Coast Guard vessels are believed to have been involved in the confrontation. The Indian was one of the 12-member Sri Krishna crew seized by the Sea Tigers on March 4. The LTTE is believed to have transferred 11 Indians to the Vanni-mainland, while retaining the services of the ship’s captain. Read more

Israel and the Maldives

By: Maldivesroyalfamily.com

The State of Israel was the first country to send an ambassador to Malé after the United Kingdom relinquished control over Maldive external relations. The ambassador of the Jewish State presented his credentials at the Eterekoilu to His Majesty King Mohamed Farid in 1965.

This made the Maldives the first Muslim country to recognise the State of Israel and establish diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level.

The Chief Justice of the time, Mohamed Jameel Didi, who was, ex officio, the chief Islamic cleric, made a representation to the King advising His Majesty not to receive the Israeli ambassador. The King did not receive his advice. As Jameel Didi's constitutional role precluded him from interfering with political decisions, he was persuaded to resign. Subsequently the old office of chief cleric which combined judicial and Islamic functions was disbanded and the judiciary modernised.

The Maldives withdrew recognition from the Jewish State in the late 1970's under pressure from a cell of pseudo-Islamic activists who were students at Egypt's al-

Azhar medrasah (Islamic seminary) in the 1950's and 1960's. By the late 1970's some members of this cell had manoeuvred their way to positions of influence with the backing of oil-rich Arab states. One of them was Jameel Didi's son (click to see genealogical note). A quarter of a century on, the cell still clings on to power.
Battle lines were drawn in the Malé tea shops during the 1967 war that saw Israel re-capturing its ancient capital of Jerusalem along with the remainder of the Promised Land that was still not under its rule. A speciality at a popular tea shop was a Maldive cake called misuru boakibaa which literally meant Egyptian cake. A rival tea shop introduced a cake called isuraailu boakibaa- Israeli cake. The outcome of the war made the Israel cake go up in popularity.

I wish I can kill these idiots

Gayyoom Wish He Can Kill Everyone

Hussain Salah Death - Police Must Take Responsibility

Thinadhoo Residents Call For Abbas Ibrahim's Resignation

Several People in Gdh Thinadhoo called for the resignation of Abbas Ibrahim. They continued the protest near DRP office for more than 5 hours

Abbas is currently visiting the islands of Gaafu Dhaalu to distribute aids from DRP.

Political analyists believe DRP is trying to take the advantage of the current disaster and win the hearts of the poor as they have been doing before.

MAS seeks legal advice on Air Maldives claim

Malaysian Airline System Bhd (MAS) is taking legal advice to challenge the claim by Air Maldives Ltd, which alleged MAS failed to perform its duties under a management agreement sealed by both parties.

In its filing to Bursa Malaysia, the national carrier said however, it was not possible for the claim to have any effect on its financial position.

"This is because the notice of arbitration forwarded by the secretariat of the International Chamber of Commerce Court of Arbitration does not specify the amounts claimed by Air Maldives from MAS.

"It also does not provide sufficient information to enable the national carrier to meaningfully assess the quantum of the airline's claim," it said.

On May 15, MAS received a letter from the secretariat on an arbitration proceeding initiated by Air Maldives.

Air Maldives has alleged MAS failed to perform its duties under a management agreement dated Jan 16, 1996.-Bernama

MAS faces arbitration on claims by Maldives Air

Malaysian Airline System Bhd (MAS) is facing arbitration at the ICC International Court of Arbitration, Paris, after Air Maldives Ltd alleged that MAS had failed to perform its duties under a management agreement signed on Jan 16, 1996.

In a statement on May 16, MAS said it had received a letter from the secretariat of the Court of Arbitration giving notice of the arbitration proceeding initiated by Air Maldives.

It said the notice referred to the memorandum of understanding dated July 29, 1994, between the government of Maldives and Malaysian Helicopter Services Bhd (MHSB), now known as Nalur Corp Bhd.

The notice also referred to the shareholders agreement dated Oct 1, 1994, between the government of Maldives and MHSB, and the management agreement between MAS and Maldives Air.

"MAS is taking legal advice to challenge the claim," the national carrier said in a statement to Bursa Malaysia. MAS said the notice did not specify the amounts claimed by Maldives Air.

Maldives Dictator fails to defend the country yet again and relies on Indian military

Maldives Dictator has once again begged for military assistance from India in trying to seize a strayed vessel that entered Maldives territory yesterday. The Maldives' coast guard could not bring the situation under control and air cover was given by the Indian military. "This is quite pathetic, a small vessel with a handful of people has posed such a threat to the country. The coast guard is obviously not bold enough to deal with a situation on their own and had to rely on India, once again," said a military analyst. "It also shows further that when ever the Maldives' Dictator finds himself in trouble of this sort, common nouns are repeated: Guns, Tamil and Indian Military," he added further.

What is obvious from all this is that the Maldives Dictator has no military power to defend the country, and the little power he has is used to attack his own people and control those who oppose his rule. Remember how this same coast guard vessel attacking a small fishing Dhoni in November last year whilst it was ferrying a group of Addu reformists to Male'.

So, this is a good time to ask ourselves the real question. Shouldn't we be worried as an independent nation, about the total reliance on the military might of India to defend ourselves, and to protect our territory?

It will come as no surprise to us if in the end this whole incident will somehow be linked to democratic reform movement. You can never underestimate the cunningness of a desperate and ailing dictator.

Foakaidhoo Island Office Scammed

By Will Jordan in Male'

A man calling himself "Shiyam" and claiming to be a cashier for the United Nations has conned the Foakaidhoo Island Office into buying him phone cards and other goods with a value of Rf 10 100 (about USD 792) Assistant Secretary, Mohamed Abdul Rahman, claims.

Rahman, who works in the Island Office in Shaviyani atoll, has been told he will have to cover the losses because he bought the cards on behalf of the office.
He was delegated to do the job by Island Chief Ali Nizar, who is now refusing to accept responsibility for the scam, Rahman says.

"UN Cashier"
The man called the office while employees were dealing with the emergency of the tidal wave which hit many Maldivian Islands on Tuesday. He said he was a cashier with the UN and needed phone cards, food, drink and batteries.

Assistant Secretary Rahman was put in charge of the request as the Island Chief, Ali Nizar, was occupied dealing with the effects of the tidal wave. Rahman says he went to a local shop and bought 53 phone cards worth Rf 100 and 48 worth Rf 50 as well as other goods.

He then called "Shiyam" and read to him the numbers of all the phone cards.

Conned
Rahman arranged for "Shiyam" to collect the other goods from the island jetty, but when he failed to turn up, Island Office staff realised they had been conned. A spokesman from the UNDP has confirmed they do not have a cashier by the name of Shiyam working for them.

The island office has informed the police.

Maldives says sinks suspected Tamil Tiger vessel

By Simon Gardner and Ranga SirilalReutersThursday, May 17, 2007; 3:56 AM

COLOMBO (Reuters) - The Maldives coast guard opened fire on and sank a vessel carrying suspected Tamil Tiger rebels on Thursday after a 12-hour standoff at sea in the island nation's southern territorial waters, the government said.
However, one man who threw himself overboard before the clash and surrendered spoke the south Indian language Malayalam and not Tamil, and officials were treating the alleged rebel link with caution.

"We have sunk the vessel. We have captured the five people aboard," Foreign Minister Ahmed Shaheed told Reuters by telephone from the Maldivian capital of Male.
According to a government spokesman, one of the captured men said four people he believed to be Tamil Tigers had boarded his 80-ft fishing trawler at sea and loaded it with guns and mortar bombs.

He said confusion arose over an initial coast guard report saying the man had identified himself as a Tamil Tiger.
"We are now treating this with caution, because the man was speaking Malayalam and not Tamil," said chief government spokesman Mohamed Shareef.
The Tigers denied any involvement.
"We are not operating in that area," Tiger military spokesman Rasiah Ilanthiraiyan said from the rebels' de facto state in Sri Lanka's far north. "These guys are not our people."

Neighboring Sri Lanka's navy has sunk several boats and trawlers in recent months suspected of trafficking weaponry for the Tigers across the Palk Strait that separates Sri Lanka and India amid a new chapter in a two-decade civil war.

The incident took place several hundred nautical miles off the south of the Maldives archipelago, which in turn sits 500 miles off the toe of India and is famed for palm-fringed desert islands and luxury holiday resorts that attract Hollywood stars such as Tom Cruise.
"If they were poachers, why would they have guns and fire at us?" Shareef said. He said the identities of the captured men were not yet clear.
"The southern atolls of the Maldives are a fair distance from Sri Lanka, so if they were gun-running, they were very bad navigators."

Maldivians are mindful of an abortive coup attempt in 1988 by dissidents backed by Tamil paramilitaries from Sri Lanka, which ended in the Indian Navy chasing and sinking a vessel on which the plotters had tried to escape with hostages.

Coast guard now chasing the foreign fishing trawler after shooting incident

Reports are coming from Vilingili in North Huvadhoo Atoll that a foreign vessel had fired warning shots after a fishing Dhoni called 'MV Tuna' from the island chased a foreign trawler which is believed to have enter the territory illegally.

Coast guard vessel has now reached the area. Reports say the vessel is just a dozen or so miles south of Vilingili island. It's taken more than 3 hours for the coast guard vessel to reach the spot. Fisherman refused to go back to the island despite orders from coast guard to do so. The vessel is believed to be around 100 feet long, according to sources in the fishing Dhoni.

Aneesa Resigned From Chair Of Administrative Comittee Of Special Majilis

A late night meeting of the administrative committee of the Special Majlis on Tuesday saw Aneesa Ahmed resign from the chair to be replaced by Mohamed (Monaza) Naeem.

As the meeting ended at around 10.30pm on Tuesday night, a senior member of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party said, “the DRP are in disarray.” And Independent Special Majlis member Ali Waheed was heard to say loudly that DRP member Yousuf Naeem will soon resign from the DRP.

Following the meeting, the new Chair Monaza slipped away to a café near the Majlis with Ali Waheed and MDP members, Dr Hussein and Mohamed Shihab.

MDP opens a 24 hour Hotline to collect
information from islands flooded, if you have information please call 3343625

New tidal waves hit Addu and Huvadhoo

Reports are coming that several islands are again hit by tidal waves, leading to Fares-Maathodaa people abandoning their island and boarding vessels in the harbour. Nadella and Gadhoo in Huvadhoo also hit. There are reports that Addu islands are also hit by the wave.

View Nadalla Gallery
Addu Gallery

More Photos From Todays Tidal Waves

IDC Elections To Be Cancelled

Reports are coming that Gayyoom has ordered Atolls Minister Whaheedhu Dheen to cancel the election scheduled to elect the Island Development Comittees all across maldives.

This development came after the Vice president of MDP Mr. Ibrahim Hussain Zaki vowed to do anything possible to win the local elections for IDCs. Zaki during his campaign rally last night told that MDP has already requested the international community to observer the election and make sure its free and fair.

"If we win these local elections its done, we will be controling the islands and i dont think gayyoom would be able to hold on for a long time" zaki told last night

Before MDP has announced that the pary will contest in the election and has expressed their intrest to will the majority of seats.

Still its unclear if Deen will cancel the election, but if he cancels the election this will become a huge blow to his political future and governments commitment to reform.

Tidal Wave Hit Islands Expecting Aid

Several Islands in maldives are hit by tidal waves. The most affected Islands are in Huvadhoo and Addu Atoll. In some areas the water has enter more than 300 feet into the island. And the depth is more than 4feet in some islands. In Kanduhulhudhoo in Gaafu Alifu the seawall is damaged. In fares mathoda and nadella the whole island is affected.

Although several islands are affected still the aid has not reached. The people are still expecting the aid. Its feared that the people may have to spend the night without any help being provided.

Sea Around Maldives Swells More Than 5ft

Reports are coming that some islands in the maldives are hit by tidal waves. The department of meteorology has reported this swelling is not connected with any earthquake and says its not a tsunami.

The islands hit by tidal wave includes:
Manafaru and Filladhoo In Haa Alifu
Maavaidhoo and Finey In Haadhaalu
Foakaidhoo In Shaviyani
Maduvvari In Raa
Hinnavaru In Lhaviyani
Dhagethi and Dhugurah In Alifu Dhaalu
Nilandhoo In Faafu Atoll
Hulhudheli, Maaenboodhoo, Kudahuvadhoo, Bandidhoo and Meedhoo In Dhaalu
All Inhabited Islands in Thaa Atoll
Kunahandhoo, Maamendhoo and Maavaiy in Laamu
Most of The Islands in Gaafu Alifu and Gaafu Dhaalu
Fuvahmulah
All Inhabited Islands In Addu

Minivan Editor On Trial

Jameel must have missed some of the files otherwise the charge list would be longer. Am I correct?

The "Monkey Master" fable

Sometimes we hear people frustrated, say that the battle against the current regime in Maldives will be very difficult to win. Ofcourse it will be difficult. If it's not difficult then that could mean this is not a dictatorship.

The world has proved that no dictator can survive without the backing of the people. The dictators win the hearts of the people by running well organised hatred campaigns among the people. By creating hatred and enmity they will try to creat an atmosphere where he can use one person to abuse the rights of the others.

Believe! Its the people who has the ultimate power. If people want then dictators will have no choice.

Here is an impressive old folk which higlights the peoples power.

"In the feudal state of Chu an old man survived by keeping monkeys in his service. The people of Chu called him "ju gong" (monkey master).

Each morning, the old man would assemble the monkeys in his courtyard, and order the eldest one to lead the others to the mountains to gather fruits from bushes and trees. It was the rule that each monkey had to give one tenth of his collection to the old man. Those who failed to do so would be ruthlessly flogged. All the monkeys suffered bitterly, but dared not complain.

One day, a small monkey asked the other monkeys: "Did the old man plant all the fruit trees and bushes?" The others said: "No, they grew naturally." The small monkey further asked: "Can't we take the fruits without the old man's permission?" The others replied: "Yes, we all can." The small monkey continued: "Then, why should we depend on the old man; why must we all serve him?"
Before the small monkey was able to finish his statement, all the monkeys suddenly became enlightened and awakened.

On the same night, watching that the old man had fallen asleep, the monkeys tore down all the barricades of the stockade in which they were confined, and destroyed the stockade entirely. They also took the fruits the old man had in storage, brought all with them to the woods, and never returned. The old man finally died of starvation.

Yu-li-zi says, "Some men in the world rule their people by tricks and not by righteous principles. Aren't they just like the monkey master? They are not aware of their muddleheadedness. As soon as their people become enlightened, their tricks no longer work." "

18 year Vote

Special Majlis decides to lower voting age to 18 for the upcoming referendum

A majority of the Special Majlis has today voted in favour of lowering the voting age to 18 for the upcoming referendum on the system of government. 57 members voted in favour whilst most of Dictator's members abstained, in addition to former speaker Abbas. Despite claims by the Dictator that he was now in favour of lowering the voting age, it is apparent that his own unelected MPs were not in agreement with him. Political analysts think that this historical development will further strengthen the stand of the opposition who are in favour of parliamentary system of government.

These are the members who did not vote:
1) Abbas Ibrahim (Gdh),
2) Mariyam Afeefa (Male Atoll),
3) Aneesa Ahmed (Meemu),
4) Abdulla Kamaluddin (Min),
5) Aishath Mohamed Didi (Min),
6) Hamdhoon Hameedh (Min)
7) Ibrahim Rafeeq (Min)
8) Ismail Shafeeu (Min)
9) Mahumoodhu Shaugy (Min)
10) Mauroof Jameel (Min)
11) Mohamed Nasheed (Min)
12) Mohamed Saeedh (Min)
13) Abdul Rasheedh Hussain (Pres)
14) Ahmed Shareef (Pres)
15) Ahmed Zahir (Pres)
16) Aishath Azima Shakoor (Pres)
17) Fathimath Dhiyana Saeedh (Pres)
18) Fathin Hameedh (Pres)
19) Ibrahim Saleem (Pres)
20) Ibrahim Shafiu (Pres)
21) Mazeena Jameel (Pres)
22) Mohamed Aboobakuru (Pres)
23) Rashida Yuoosuf (Pres)
24) Zahiya Zareer (Pres)
25) Shahin Hameedh (Raa)
26) Moosa Rameez (Shaviyani)
27) Mohamed Hussain (Shaviyani)
28) Yuoosuf Naeem (Vaavu)

Gayyoom Should Be Responsible For Salah's Death

Salah's story will not fade away. We will remember him. Gayyoom Must pay the price.

Golha Brand

The majilis is now controlled By Buruma Gasim, and some of the members are his pupets. Gayyoom Control Gasim through his old tactics. So dont you wonder what will happen in the majilis. Be aware they have a cunning plan.

Deen Is Out Of Options

Bloody battle rages in Karachi

28 die in clashes over suspension by Musharraf of top court judge

Men armed with assault rifles battled for hours yesterday in a confrontation between pro- and anti-government forces that raged through residential neighbourhoods in Karachi, Pakistan's largest city, killing at least 28 people and injuring more than 100 others.

The strife in the volatile port city of 15 million people was the worst yet during a crisis that erupted two months ago when President Pervez Musharraf suspended the country's top judge.

Backers of Musharraf appeared to be the driving force behind the violence in Karachi.

In a neighbourhood close to the airport, smoke billowed from burning barricades, panicky motorists abandoned their vehicles and residents of high-rises took cover in inner rooms as the chaotic fighting continued through much of the day.

Musharraf, speaking at a rally in the capital city, Islamabad, appealed for calm but stopped short of declaring martial law in Karachi.

"If you are unhappy about what has happened ... halt these protests," the president told nearly 50,000 supporters. "There is no need for an emergency – the people are with me.''

Musharraf accused the country's senior jurist, Iftikhar Chaudhry, of misconduct when suspending him March 9. But many believed the president was acting to preclude a challenge to the validity of elections to be held later this year.

A judicial panel is examining Chaudhry's suspension, but it could take months to reach a conclusion.

Yesterday's fighting in Karachi broke out just before Chaudhry was to address a large gathering of lawyers, who have rallied to his cause. Chaudhry was expected to demand his job back and to urge Musharraf to either step down or give up his military role – a stance that his backers believe was his political downfall.

Opposition parties said the violence was orchestrated by the city's pro-government Mutahida Qami Movement. Leaders of the opposition planning to greet Chaudhry said police stood idly as they were beaten and intimidated at the airport, and during the violence that spilled into the sprawling city.

Opponents of Musharraf have accused him of engineering the coming parliamentary elections in a way that will ensure his continuing grip on power.

The violence threatened to put a damper on the Pakistani leader's recent reported overtures to former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, now in exile in Dubai. Backers of Bhutto's People's Party were among those clashing with pro-government supporters in the violence that continued after nightfall in Karachi.

The New York-based Human Rights Watch condemned the unrest and called on the government to take stronger steps to protect civilians.