Royal Militia on parade circa 1932

Troops and band of the royal militia regiments parade in the plaza outside the main precincts of the Etherekoilu, now occupied by the main mosque of Malé. At the rear in white uniforms is the naval or Kalasin Regiment. At the front left is the Hangun or Lancers' Regiment and on their right are the royal bandsmen. On the far right are the Sifain or Infantry Regiment.

Victims of a failed experiment in democracy 1933

Democracy in the form of the first written constitution was incepted in the Maldives in 1932. Soon the democratically elected government found itself at a loss as to what democracy was. They failed to consider the political maturity of Maldivians and proceeded to enact reforms. Some of the reforms voted in included building a railway line from Maafannu to Macchangoli, a distance of less than a kilometre. Trees were planted along the middle of the main street in Malé to resemble a French boulevard. Soon the citizenry found themselves alienated and cried out for a return to the bad old days of absolute monarchy. A coup took place with a junta of sixty eight leading citizens replacing the government. The junta was led by the wealthiest local businessman in Malé at the time, a certain Gulhee Isa Kaleyfan. They petitioned the Sultan to suspend the constitution and take absolute control. The Sultan Mohamed Shamsuddine III Iskander did as he was bid and ordered his most unpopular ministers into exile in Colombo. Some of the ex-ministers are photographed here in Colombo. From left (seated) Hussain Salahuddine, Henveyrugey Ahmed Kamil Didi; Eggamugey Ibrahim Ali Didi; Athireegey Mohamed Amin Didi (not an exile). Back row from left: Medu Seedeege Seedi (he was not a minister but a busy body who was foolish enough to advise the Sultan to order the militia to open fire on the assembled citizenry who were demanding an end to democracy); Meerubahuru Mohamed Ismail Didi, Hilihilaagey Moosa Didi; Kelaa Ibrahim and Buruneegey Ibrahim Hassan Didi.

Council of Regency offer prayers circa 1933

Sultan Mohamed Shamsuddine III Iskander was deposed in 1933 after a return to constitutional rule. In the interregnum a Council of Regency took constitutional powers of the Sultan. Here the Council of Regency is led in prayer at the Central Shrine of Medu Ziyaaraiy by the Chief Justice Bodufenvalhugey Seedi. The latter was the site editor's maternal grandfather.

‘Green signal’ received for Decentralisation Bill to become law, claims opposition

MALE, April 29, 2010 (Haveeru News Service) – The opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) has received ‘green signal’ that the Decentralisation Bill would become law by the consent of 39 MPs, even if President Mohamed Nasheed returns it to parliament without ratification, the party’s leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali has said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a rally to celebrate the opposition’s victory over the bill, Thasmeen noted it was passed by 42 votes in Wednesday’s sitting after overcoming huge challenges.

“I am pleased with the participation of all the parties in this, except the MDP. Our MPs along with the MPs of People’s Alliance (PA), Jumhooree Party and independent members passed the bill for the citizens,” he said.

Even if President Nasheed returns the Decentralisation Bill for parliament to reconsider, it would be made in to law if 39 MPs voted in favour, Thasmeen stressed

“Therefore, the 42 votes we received to pass the bill was a clear signal that it would be made into a law,” he said.

He reiterated the opposition’s earlier remarks saying MPs had to work hard to pass the bill, as it was necessary to render all authorities to the people and to prevent councillors appointed by the government from doing “whatever they want.”

The inexperienced councillors are biased and inconsiderate, Thasmeen claimed.

“We are aware of the attempts by MDP MPs to delay the work of the bill at different phases. I am pleased to say that the bill was passed without the provincial administration system,” he said.

Thasmeen emphasised that lack of a provincial system would not cease or decline national development, contrary to claims made “to achieve a hidden political agenda.”

“I hope the President would ratify the bill according to his earlier remarks and that he would not return the bill when it was passed by the consent of 42 members,” he continued.

Thasmeen further said the seven provinces established “on the margin of the constitution have proven to be a failure,” and added that the opposition has to be stronger to win the local councils elections.

Former Deputy Leader of DRP Qasim Ibrahim, now the Leader of Jumhooree Party, who worked in coalition with the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) during the 2008 Presidential Election, also participated in the rally.

Speaking in the meeting, Qasim acknowledged that his participation in a DRP rally will raise questions, and added that he wanted to take part in celebrating the victory of passing the amended Decentralisation Bill.

“This victory is a memorable victory,” Qasim noted, adding that Jumhooree Party would also hold a rally to celebrate the bill soon.

He stressed that Jumhooree Party will work together with “all the parties in national issues.”

Parliament delays recess for Local Council Elections Bill

MALE, April 29, 2010 (Haveeru News Service) – The parliament on Thursday has passed a proposal to postpone recess further until a decision on the Decentralisation Bill and Local Council Elections Bill is made.

Decentralisation Bill was passed with 42 votes in Wednesday’s sitting, leaving only the Local Council Elections Bill on the agenda.

The decree submitted by Thoddu MP Ali Waheed on behalf of the opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) was passed, after the General Committee sanctioned it on Tuesday by the consent of 62 out of 69 members present, while seven members voted against it and four members abstained.

Presenting the committee’s decision, Chair Thulhaadhoo MP Nazim Rashaad said the committee agreed to pass it without any amendments, although one MP wanted to add more bills to the pre-recess to-do list, including Prohibiting Gang Violence, Taxing Tourist Hotels and Services and Corporate Taxation.

While 45 out of 51 members present voted in favour of the decree, six members voted against it and 10 members abstained.

Although the committee decided to pass the decree without any amendments, Chairperson of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Mariya Ahmed Didi of Machangoalhi-North constituency submitted an amendment to the proposal.

The amendment submitted by Mariya and endorsed by Kulhudhuffushi-South MP Mohamed Nasheed proposed to postpone recess until the Local Council Elections Bill becomes a law or the parliament decides on the bill in accordance with the constitution. It was rejected as 30 out of 66 MPs who participated voted against it.

Speaking against the decree, MDP and several independent MPs stressed that the parliament needs to prioritise more important bills.

DRP MPs, however, favoured the decree claiming that the atoll and city councils elections should be held before July 1 in accordance with article 298 of the constitution to further expand the decentralisation process, and added that the bill should be given a much higher priority.

The new parliamentary procedure states that the first term of the parliament, which began on March 1, ends on April 30. Second term is from June 1- August 31.