Flogging through the ages: a recollection by Pyrard

The issue of flogging has led to much debate and discussion. In an article in Minivan News Foreign Minister Dr. Ahmed Shaheed recounted Ibn Batuta’s tales of how Maldivians were too squeamish to amputate thieves’ hands in the fourteenth century.

The following passage is taken from the French explorer Francois Pyrard’s memoir of his sojourn in the Maldives from 1602-1607. It appears that not much has changed between then and now.

“I shall now relate divers occurrences that happened during my time to particular inhabitants of the island; among others, to a Gentile Canarin of Cochin, a man of great means and position. For eight whole years he had come and gone about the islands, having everywhere houses, factors and domestics, speaking the language quite well, and being, in fact, naturalised. One day this man was surprised lying with a woman of the islands. He had kept her for six months, and she was but a poor servant-girl. He was presently haled with her before the Grand Pandiare (Fandiyaaru), to whom he protested that he had done her no manner of harm; that he desired to become of their faith, and would marry the woman. This was done, and he became a Mahometan; and it appeared that he had for a long time desired this end, for that he owed much money at Cochin, as to which he became bankrupt. He espoused this woman and made a great lady of her: for there, strangers, both men and women, can wear whatever they please. When he made the promise he was set free, but upon her judgement was passed according to the law: all her hair was shaved, then she was bathed in old and stinking oil, her head put in an old sack of sail-cloth, and then she was beaten at all the cross-roads and round the island. This is their manner of punishing all men and women taken in adultery or fornication. But there, as here, money does everything and saves from everything. As for the conversion of the man, he was borne in triumph through the streets and round the island, accompanied by the greatest lords, and by the people of all sorts and conditions; he was presented with much money and raiment and a new name…”

A humiliating week for the former president

It has indeed been a humiliating week for Ma. Kinbigasdhoshuge Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.  On Sunday, the police held a press conference where they showed in meticulous detail how his brother Abdulla Hameed had conned the government out of just under three and a half million rufiyaa by illegally awarding contracts to Jangiya Nazim and his Namira firm.

Gayoom himself was asked to report to the presidential commission investigating corruption.  They just wanted to ask him some questions as they had done to other former as well as current government officials.

The man had earlier reported that he not committed any offence and would be happy to prove his innocence in front of any tribunal- even The Hague.  Thus, his decision to refuse to meet the presidential commission proved surprising.

On Monday the police sought to bring him in for questioning.  Being a man with such delusions of grandeur he refused to answer their summons.  He had a crowd of DRP thugs waiting in the streets and in the compound of his residence Alivaage when the police arrived to pick him up.

The country watched with baited breath as DhiTV broadcast live images of the drama that was unfolding.  Viewers could see people sitting on the wall of the house directing DRP thugs to confront the police.  It was shocking to see such incitements to violence.

After repeated warnings from the police, tear gas was released and the crowd fled.  After more than an hour of stalling for time, Gayoom was led out and taken to the station under heavy police escort.  He was safely returned back to Alivaage about half an hour later.

A furious Gayoom and half-brother Yameen (the two look more and more alike as each day passes) took to the airwaves and condemned the actions of the police.  Yameen went so far as to state that the country was turning into a police state as under the Nazis.  You have to wonder. 

He demonstrated no shame about the thugs beating up a senior police officer.  The officer had been allowed in to the compound and was assured of his safety, but ended up in the hospital.  He was just doing his duty.

Gayoom’s comments were even more ridiculous.  He attacked the integrity of the commission by saying that one of its members, Haseen, was a student of his and had other motives.  “I regret to say this, but even back then he was not very bright” the former president explained.  Gayoom then went on to make the ludicrous claim that Haseen had a grudge against him because he was unhappy about the grades he had been awarded in his classes.

More amusement was to follow on Tuesday night at the DRP’s fourth anniversary rally at the artificial beach.  Readers will recall Gayoom going slightly off the rails during the presidential campaign and announcing his grand list of “Liars”.  He only got so far as five before the more sensible campaign staff pulled the plug on this particular tactic.

Anyway, Gayoom was in a similar mood at the rally.  He repeatedly protested his innocence and seethed as he accused the government of telling tall tales.  He got caught up in a bizarre condemnation of the foreign ministry for referring to the government as the MDP-Alliance Government in a letter.  He said this was not done in other countries.  But of course it is!  We repeatedly hear references to the Labour (and even New Labour) Government in the UK.  But I will not belabour the point.

He said that he had gone to the police voluntarily in mind of any injury that may befall his supporters outside his residence.  The audacity! The very reason the police had to go in full armoured gear was because he had refused to attend the summons voluntarily.  And anyone watching television would have seen how the crowds had been put in harms way and encouraged to clash with the police.

Perhaps the lowest point for the deposed dictator was when he threatened the government by saying that those responsible for taking him in for questioning would face the consequences.  Oh really?  Statements such as these indicate that he just doesn’t get it. 

This was all in stark contrast to the MDP function held at Dharubaaruge on Wednesday night.  It was held in the honour of former Seychelles President Sir James Mancham, and was a much more dignified and positive affair.

Sir James had graced the MDP’s inaugural Congress as the guest of honour and delivered the keynote address.  It was during a very difficult time for the reform movement when Gayoom and his government acted with impunity.  The then MDP Chairperson Mohamed Nasheed was under house arrest for no good reason at all, and it took the pleading of the former Seychelles president to have him released just for the Congress.

The irony of all this is undoubtedly lost on Gayoom.

Back to Wednesday night’s event.  President Nasheed assured the nation that he would uphold the dignity and the powers of the state and ensure that everyone would have to obey the law.  He advised Gayoom to calm down and lead a graceful life as befitting a former president.

For the sake of the country, we can only hope that he takes this advice and spares himself more humiliation in the future.  Worse, he might even have to face justice.

The Auditor General is a true patriot

Our Independence Day is rapidly approaching. This time of the year often sees much flag-waving and professions of loyalty to the nation.

This year, a true patriot has stood out. Auditor General Ibrahim Naeem has been relentlessly exposing corruption and waste in his hard-hitting audit reports. Through his actions people have learnt of the excesses of the former regime. Through his actions the current government has been reminded that they are entrusted with a great responsibility and that they should take great care when spending the public’s money- or risk being exposed!

The opposition has been trying to discredit the auditor general by attacking his character and glossing over the facts in his reports. On Thursday he came out fighting.

His press conference on Thursday was a tour de force. Quoting from his reports (and at times from the Quran), he launched a merciless attack on the corrupt regime that was toppled last October. He described their acts as nothing short of “organized crime”.

Staying quiet and sweeping evidence of crimes under the carpet are not actions that would be taken by those who love the nation. In fact, those who are trying to bring down the auditor general in order to put a lid on or discredit his findings are being positively traitorous.

It is time that the police and prosecutor general take the findings in the audit reports seriously and bring the guilty to book.

Opposition members need to keep their cool and learn to abide by democratic practices

Politicians- especially legislators- need to keep their heads cool and their emotions under control when operating in the arena.

In all their years as minority members challenging a dictatorship, MDP MPs and their parliamentary allies never once resorted to physical violence.  Granted, there were incidents where voices were raised, fingers were pointed, and some jumped on top of tables.  One MP even made a rude gesture involving his zip towards one of the then ruling MPs.  

This is in stark contrast to the events which took place in the Majlis today where DRP MPs (Mahloof in particular) walked towards MDP's parliamentary group leader and attempted to strike him.  Sure, Moosa must have goaded him, but this does not excuse a recourse to physical harm.  This is a new low by parliamentary standards.

Speaking on the TVM show Q & A with Mighdad, DRP member Ali Waheed railed against the "activists" in government.  He and his parliamentary colleagues need to take a look at the mirror.

DRP members need to learn that while peaceful demonstrations in public places are acceptable, fist fights in the hallowed chamber of the Majlis are most certainly not.

Why Thimarafushi should reject Ghassan Maumoon

1. Drink driving incident

It was the talk of the town at one time.  That the dictator’s son had been involved in a drink-driving incident in the UK where he was studying and that embassy officials had to bail him out of jail was causing waves in all circles of society.  There were allegations that the victim had died, but this variation of the tale was to far-fetched for most to believe.  The other story that said that it was public money used to bail the young man out and that the finance minister at the time resigned over this incident was more believable and may even be true.

Credit must be given to the Gayoom government for keeping the matter hushed up.  Bits of information trickled out into the public domain, yet the full picture has not yet been revealed to the public.  The people of Thimarafushi should think twice before casting their ballots for an individual with such serious, unanswered questions hanging over his head.

2. Inexperienced candidate sheltered from real life

Unlike his siblings, the DRP candidate has never worked a day in his life.  Having spent the past years as a student he returned to play a role in ensuring that the family enterprise (ruling Maldives) survived.  Having failed in this task the Gayoom firm now finds itself perilously close to bankruptcy.  Sure, Ghassan may be well coached in saying the right things in the right ways (his Salawat saying has now been perfected), but can a man raised behind the walls of Gayoomdom really be in touch with people and be able to represent them in the Majlis? 

3. Dictator’s legacy

The fallen regime spent many years tightening their grip throughout the country.  This was from the northernmost islands all the way down to Addu in the south.  From the poorest people given $200 and a ticket abroad to seek medical treatment to those in the higher ranks of the government rewarded for their loyalty.  In order for the country to move on, it is essential for it to put the dictator’s rule behind them.

Having his son elected to the Majlis will be a major setback.  It would mean that the country would remain divided and many people disrupt government actions with the hope of returning their beloved lord and his clan to power.  Who knows, perhaps Gayoom himself dreams of kicking the Supreme Court out of Theemuge and return to his multi-million dollar palace in 2013?

4. Weakened opposition

This point closely relates to the previous one. Speaking at a rally to celebrate MDP’s 4^th anniversary, President Nasheed said that it was important that DRP be strengthened in order to sustain a healthy democracy with space for competitive political parties.  He went further and suggested that Gayoom leave the party’s helm in order for it to become a viable opposition party.

If Gayoom’s son is elected to the Majlis, despite very valid questions of what exactly he got up to in England, it will spell the end of the political aspirations of the very talented young DRP MPs who are driving their party forward.  Rather than having an opportunity to lead their party, the likes of Alhan, Mahloof, Nihan and Ali Waheed would once again be consigned to a life of servitude.