Special Announcement

The Dhivehi Raiyyithunge Party (DRP) will be holding the inauguration of our Presidential candidate incumbent President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s 5 dynamic years at the Hiyfaseyha Maizan (Artificial Beach) at 2100hrs tonight. We would like to request the presence of all who support our party and our candidate at tonight’s celebration.

Ali Waheed assaulted by opposition alliance

Waheed at today's Press Conference

- Opposition supporters attack Waheed in Maavah Island.

- Dubious text messages received in connection with 95.2 DhiFM’s poll.

- Evangelists trying to take advantage of Maldivian hospitality and openness.

MALE, Maldives — Maumoon 2008 Campaign Deputy Media Manager Ali Waheed spoke to the press at the serial 1200 press conference held on weekdays at the Maumoon 2008 Media Office today.

He provided the press with details of the physical attack on his person which took place in Laamu Atoll, Maavah Island yesterday.

He said that local private radio broadcaster 95.2 DhiFM should make an official apology to the DRP, other political parties and the Maldivian public for the effects of their discredited popularity polls.

Impeded

Waheed said that opposition supporters had organized the protest and attack against DRP campaign officials in Laamu Atoll, Maavah Island yesterday.

Waheed said certain individuals had strung up opposition banners and shouted abuse while carrying plywood placards at DRP officials and supporters who had neared Maavah Island’s jetty in a party vessel.

Waheed said in addition to him, party officials Ahmed Nihan and Alhan Fahmy were the only campaign officials who had managed to get off board when Waheed was assaulted and struck on the back of the head by opposition supporters.

Kaleidoscope

Waheed said that his assailants were wearing yellow MDP t-shirts and red Jumhooree Party (JP) caps, and carrying white placards with messages of support for independent Presidential candidate Dr. Hassan Saeed.

He said that the assailant’s apparel and placards indicated that the opposition parties have begun to respond to mounting support for DRP Presidential candidate incumbent President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom following the recent Supreme Court (SC) rulings.

The SC had ruled in favor of upholding the Election Commission’s (EC) decision to approve Gayoom’s bid for the candidacy in two separate cases on 2 October 2008.

Waheed said that Dr. Saeed who must have seen the adverse effects of having a factionalized society should not condone creating an antagonistic society separated by party lines.

Fever Pitch

Waheed said that he believes it inevitable for events to come to disorder and unrest in the same way that bubbles inevitably raise to the surface of heated water once boiling point is reached.
He said that however all parties should attempt to maintain peace and stability throughout the nation and he urged all parties to stop encouraging violence.

He said that he does not believe that the fact that he or other DRP supporters did not react to the opposition attack is a sign of cowardice. He called Dr. Saeed and the leadership of the MDP and JP cowards for not confronting him themselves.

Confusion

Waheed also commented on the recent Dhiraagu pvt. Ltd. press release regarding complaints about DhiFM’s elections polls conducted via SMS.

Dhiraagu had noted in their press release that “thank you” text messages received by persons who did not vote before the actual voting had begun came from an Australian number outside the Dhiraagu communications network.

Waheed demanded that DhiFM should apologize for the mental distress caused to members of political parties and the public by the careless manner in which their polls were conducted. In response to a question from the media he said that the perception created by the results of dubious polls would have lasting effects on the public psyche.

He said that he does not endorse a boycott of DhiFM itself but that he advises them to conduct future polls in a more transparent and responsible manner.

Interlopers

Waheed also condemned the MDP’s endorsement of attempts to introduce foreign values to the social, cultural and religious environment of the Maldives with reference to recent reports that the MDP’s campaign manager is an Australian national by the name of James McGrath.

According to an article printed on the BBC News UK website, 34-year-old James McGrath is an Australian national who has worked for the British Conservative Party for 7 years. He was appointed director of political strategy at City Hall under Johnson’s mayorship. McGrath resigned following allegations of racism in connection with remarks that he had made to reporter Marc Wadsworth of the-latest.com website. McGrath had responded to a question regarding British-Caribbeans threatening to leave the country en masse if a right-wing Conservative such as Johnson is elected mayor by saying “well let them (Caribbeans) go if they don’t like it here (Britain)”.

Waheed said that the Maldivian public is aware of “cunning individuals” who have tried to manipulate the internal affairs of the Maldives for their own private gain.

He condemned in strong words the attempts by evangelists masquerading as champions of social causes in order to take advantage of the Maldivian people’s unique hospitality and openness.

Emails suggest that James McGrath and the MDP linked to religious freedom movement

Hussein Shareef at today's Press Conference

MALE, Maldives — The Dhivehi Raiyyithunge Party (DRP) official Spokesperson Mohamed Hussein Shareef and the DRP Registrar and former Controller of Immigrations Ibrahim Shafiu spoke about the Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) “Other Maldives” campaign’s alleged campaign manager James McGrath at the serial 1200 press conference held on weekdays at the Maumoon 2008 Campaign Media Office today.

Hussein Shareef revealed email correspondence to the press which suggests that James McGrath has links to a movement to change the Maldives into a multi-religious society.

Shafiu provided details of the legal basis on which the DRP has lodged complaints against McGrath.

Email

Hussein Shareef revealed to the press that a senior DRP official had recently received, from an anonymous source, a forwarded email message which suggests that the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and McGrath have links to a movement to introduce religious freedom to the Maldives.
The email message was sent on 3 August 2008 at 1352hrs with the subject heading “McGrath’s trips” from an email address titled “MDP Riyaasee (Presidential ) Campaign” to various recipients whom Hussein Shareef says are senior MDP officials. The body of the message is as follows;

Dear All

Attached is James McGrath’s program for the rest of his visit.

GOTV Managers - pls arrange trips with Thuthube. Budget needs to be approved from Mausoom as per the template he has developed for North and South trainings. GOTV Managers - also pls make arrangements for conducting the trainings. The Campaign Aide assigned to your atolls will assist you with the 40 million but I hope the 1 year period is enough to make this country what we want it to be a multi religious place . HA - R (Sama), B - ADh (Shifana), V - Th (Nathu), L - S (Ifa).

The correspondence is signed “Thanks, Shehe”. Hussein Shareef suggested that “Shehe” might be former MDP Shadow Education Minister Shehenaz Abdullah.

Religious Mission

Hussein Shareef expressed his deepest concerns about foreign intervention in the political affairs of a sovereign state. He said that the Islamic religion is one of the cornerstones of Maldivian society and that the Maldivian people would not wish to lose the country’s religious unity.

Hussein Shareef said that if the email is a forgery the MDP should react to it as soon as possible. He said that the DRP has received information that the email has been forwarded to several others and printed copies of it have been disseminated on the streets of Male.

Hussein Shareef said that the sum of 40 million regardless of what currency it is in, is a large sum and whether such a sum has been circulating in connection with MDP visits to the atolls should be investigated.

He concluded that as concerned citizens, the DRP will bring the email to the attention of the Maldives Police Service (MPS).

Regulations

Shafiu spoke to the media on McGrath’s alleged violation of visa regulations.

He said that MDP acting President Ibrahim Hussein Zaki has agreed that McGrath has been providing assistance to the MDP’s “Other Maldives” campaign. He said that regulation number 1/2007 issued by the Department of Immigration and Emigration (DIE) prohibits those in the Maldives on a tourist visa from working whether voluntarily or on a wage basis. He said that McGrath who is currently in the Maldives on a tourist visa has broken the law.

He urged the MDP to respect Maldivian law.

He said that the MDP has exhibited a systematic disregard for the rules and regulations of the Maldivian legal system. He said that the MDP had previously invited an organization by the name of Global Protection Committee (GPC) headed by Michael Lord-Castle who had made comments which some accused of being militant to local English daily to the effect that the GPC encourages “tracking” the President down and” bringing him to justice”.

Maumoon 2008 Campaign Schedule of Events

4 OCTOBER 2008 (SATURDAY)

1630: DhiTV, Afternoon Press Brief - Maumoon 2008 Campaign Media.

2015: VOM, Siyaasee Fendaa - DRP Presidential candidate H.E. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

2200: TVM, Siyaasee Fendaa - DRP Presidential candidate H.E. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

6 OCTOBER 2008 (MONDAY)

1115: TVM, Siyaasee Fendaa - DRP Presidential candidate H.E. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

1630: DhiTV, Afternoon Press Brief - Maumoon 2008 Campaign Media.

“The MDP cannot be allowed to involve foreign interests in Maldivian internal affairs” - DRP Spokesperson

Hamza Latheef (Media Office)

MALE, Maldives — Official Spokesperson of the Dhivehi Raiyyithunge Party (DRP) Mohamed Hussein Shareef spoke to the media on the serial Maumoon 2008 press conference televised live on DhiTV at 2300hrs.

He revealed that his cell phone number had been used by inexplicable means to vote for tonight’s DhiFM opinion poll without his consent.

He thanked Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) acting President Ibrahim Hussein Zaki for confirming the DRP’s allegations against James McGrath and warned the public of the ramifications of foreign intervention in the internal political affairs of the Maldives.

SMS

Hussein Shareef read out a text message that he said he received at 2257hrs tonight from +600 to the media tonight. According to him, the text message read “thank you for your vote”. He said that he is aware of an opinion poll being conducted in connection with the upcoming elections on private radio broadcaster 95.2 DhiFM from 2300-0000hrs tonight.

Hussein Shareef said that he had last texted from his number at 2248hrs tonight and that he was surprised to receive an SMS in what he believes is connection with tonight’s DhiFM poll before the appointed time for SMS voting.

He expressed concern on his and DRP members’ behalf about the validity of polls when suspicious activities are carried out in connection with them. He also expressed his disappointment in not being able to cast his vote in tonight’s poll.

Regulations

Hussein Shareef thanked MDP acting President Zaki for confirming all of the allegations he had made against the MDP in connection with James McGrath in an MDP press conference tonight.

He said that Zaki had agreed that McGrath has been aiding the MDP and that the Australian had done so on a voluntary basis. Hussein Shareef countered that whether McGrath is paid or not is not the issue. He said that a tourist visa does not allow for foreign nationals to work in the Maldives either voluntarily or on a wage basis.

He said that the DRP has alerted concerned officials of McGrath’s violation and that it is his wish that the former British Conservative Party campaign aide be deported as soon as possible.

He responded to Zaki’s allegations that the DRP directly controls a local print daily by the name of Hamaroalhi which employs a foreign national. He said that the foreign national in question has a Maldivian work visa in her possession and that she is employed on a professional basis.

Poorna Rodrigo, the aforementioned foreigner, is a Sri Lankan national who writes for the English section of Hamaroalhi daily.

Make-over

Hussein Shareef said that McGrath is not only working for the MDP but that he also controls the MDP’s “Other Maldives” Campaign. He said that email correspondence which the DRP had made public in an earlier press conference indicates that McGrath dictates what the MDP Presidential candidate wears and does. He also said that McGrath has expressed dissatisfaction with MDP officials for taking rest during the morning hours of Ramadan.

He warned the people that the MDP Presidential candidate Mohamed “Anni” Nasheed’s public image was created by McGrath and that it does not reflect Nasheed’s true character. He called this change a “face-lift” that Nasheed had required in order to garner votes in a public referendum.

He said that an unnamed MDP official had personally commented to him in the past that the MDP has never tried to become a political party and that the party’s status as a populist revolutionary movement appeals and adds to its core membership.

Hussein Shareef said that images such as the temple flower (common name for Plumiera Rubra aka Frangipani) and ideals such as “other Maldives” has served to transform the MDP leadership from what he said were dubious individuals who possessed “eyes that burned like coals” into publicly appealing statespersons.

He said that the point he is trying to make is that the change that the MDP has experienced has come about due to outside intervention and that he is concerned on one hand about continued foreign influence if the MDP is elected and the MDP reverting to its original militancy on the other.

He said that the basic principle behind the DRP’s cause is to uphold Maldivian independence with regards to the country’s sovereignty, religion and nationality.

Links

In response to a question from the media, Hussein Shareef confirmed that the DRP has links to the Chinese Communist Party and the Indian National Congress (INC).

He said that the DRP has never sought or received technical aid from either of the parties.

He said that a DRP contingent met with representatives from the INC to obtain their counsel on the creation of party branches and executive posts.

Maumoon 2008 Campaign

He said isaid that they were employees of an Indian company which the DRP had hired on a contractual basis to do stage work and lighting for the campaign launch event.

He said the DRP does not condemn hiring overseas professionals in general making the comment that the Jumhooree Party (JP) has also employed an unnamed Germany company for similar purposes.

He made the statement that involving foreign interests in Maldivian politics is what the DRP cannot condone in the interests of the state and the people.

Afternoon Press Conference at the Media Office

Mohamed Hussein Shareef

MALE, Maldives — Dhivehi Raiyyithunge Party (DRP) official Spokesperson and member of the DRP Youth Wing Mohamed “Mundhu” Hussein Shareef spoke at the Maumoon 2008 Campaign’s serial 1630 Press Conference at the which is televised live on DhiTV and streamed live on maumoon2008.net.

Hussein Shareef revealed that the Maumoon 2008 Campaign has lodged complaints regarding alleged Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Presidential Campaign Manager James McGrath at the Maldives Police Services (MPS), Elections Commission (EC) and the Department of Immigration and Emigration (DIE).

He commented on opposition protests against the Maumoon 2008 Campaign tour which, according to him, have increased in recent days. He warned that the Maumoon 2008 Campaign will report protests held illegally.

He clarified the Campaign’s stand on MDP allegations of embezzlement against President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom who is also the DRP’s Presidential candidate for the 2008 elections.

Illegal Alien

Hussein Shareef said at the press conference that the DRP has lodged complaints at the MPS, EC and DIE against Australian national James McGrath who is currently in the Maldives on a tourist visa.

Hussein Shareef had said at an earlier press conference that McGrath has been working as manager of the MDP’s “Other Maldives” campaign in violation of visa regulations. He had also accused the former employee of the British Conservative Party of interfering in Maldives’ internal affairs in violation of international conventions.

According to an article printed on the BBC News UK website in June 2008, 34-year-old James McGrath is an Australian national who has worked for the British Conservative Party for 7 years. He was appointed director of political strategy at City Hall under Johnson’s mayorship. McGrath resigned following allegations of racism in connection with remarks that he had made to reporter Marc Wadsworth of the-latest.com website. McGrath had responded to a question regarding British-Caribbeans threatening to leave the country en masse if a right-wing Conservative such as Johnson is elected mayor by saying “well let them (Caribbeans) go if they don’t like it here (Britain)”.

“Fireball Democracy”

Hussein Shareef condemned the protests against the Maumoon 2008 Campaign tour which he said have increased in frequency and magnitude in the past two days.

Hussein Shareef revealed that Deputy Media Coordinator of the Maumoon 2008 Campaign Ali Waheed was physically attacked at Maavah island in Laamu Atoll today. He said that DRP supporters at the scene had to restrain the attackers to prevent Waheed from suffering further harm. He also noted that the attackers were dressed in yellow.

He said that DRP supporters and senior officials have been confronted by rabbles dressed mostly in red and yellow. He said that confrontations have taken place in addition to yesterday’s “vulgar” protest in Kudahuvadhoo island of Dhaalu atoll, in Gan island in Laamu atoll, Guraidhoo island in Male atoll, Hulhumale island in Male atoll and Thulhaadhoo island in Baa atoll.

He said that all protests were organized by three main parties which he said were the Jumhooree Party (JP), the MDP and independent Presidential candidate Dr. Hassan Saeed’s supporters.

He condemned these acts as against the spirit of democratic elections and specifically urged members of the MDP not to return to earlier tactics of creating disorder on the streets. He said that the DRP does not wish for the reform process to be reversed and for a peaceful Islamic democracy instead of the “fireball democracy” that the opposition is attempting to create.

He also said that in addition to being free and fair, democratic elections should also be peaceful in order for them to proceed smoothly.

Vandalism

Hussein Shareef also said that the last two days has also seen an increase in political vandalism.

He said that Maumoon 2008 banners and posters have begun to be slashed with razor blades and physically torn following the recent Supreme Court (SC) rulings which has cleared the path for Gayoom to proceed unhindered towards the ballot box. He said opposition parties should not take out their frustrations over lack of support on the winner and that all parties should try to canvass support within legal means.

Hussein Shareef warned legal action against the perpetrators and said that complaints will be lodged at the EC as well as the MPS.

Congratulations

Hussein Shareef said that Gayoom himself has always advised campaign activists to act in a positive and proactive manner instead of harboring vendettas personal or otherwise.

He also said that Gayoom has set an example for other Presidential candidates by congratulating MDP candidate Nasheed on the SC decision to allow him to contest the elections.

Foreign Affairs

In response to a request for comment on MDP acting President Ibrahim Hussein Zaki’s allegation that Gayoom had personally accepted a USD 40 million donation by the Emir of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani into Gayoom’s account Hussein Shareef said that Zaki as a former SAARC Secretary General appointed by Gayoom is well aware of the procedure for accepting foreign aid and therefore should not make the accusations which Hussein Shareef said are baseless and unsupported.

He noted that Zaki had made similar accusations during an earlier campaign against Gayoom saying that he has proof that Gayoom has embezzled money deposited in an overseas account. Hussein Shareef said that Zaki could not prove his point and that he can state for the record that Gayoom does not have a bank account overseas.

Hussein Shareef noted that the Maldives is the first country to establish a separate account for tsunami funds which is independently audited. He also said that the use of tsunami funds is overseen by a special body which includes the United Nations resident coordinator in the Maldives.

He said that the US government has praised the Maldives for its transparent and efficient system of dispensing tsunami funds.

MDP Campaign Manager James McGrath in violation of visa regulations - Hussein Shareef

MALE, Maldives — Dhivehi Raiyyithunge Party (DRP) Council Member and Attorney General Azima Shakoor and official DRP Spokesperson and Presidential Spokesperson Mohamed “Mundhu” Hussein Shareef spoke to the media at the Maumoon 2008 Media Office at 2300hrs tonight.

Shakoor gave highlights of today’s Supreme Court (SC) rulings and Hussein Shareef spoke about the Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) foreign Campaign Manager’s violation of visa regulations.


James McGrath

Hussein Shareef said that the Maumoon 2008 Campaign has received information in the form of email correspondence that indicate that the MDP’s campaign manager is a white British national by the name of James McGrath.

Hussein Shareef said that McGrath is a member of the British Conservative Party who had played a pivotal role in current Conservative London mayor Boris Johnson’s mayoral campaign until he was forced to resign due to racist remarks he had made against the black population of London.

Hussein Shareef also said that McGrath is spending time in the Maldives on a tourist visa and that he has violated visa regulations by actively taking part in Maldivian political activities. He said that he will bring McGrath’s violation to the attention of the Department of Immigration and Emigration (DIE). He also said that he would complain to the British government for McGrath’s involvement in the internal affairs of a sovereign country.

According to an article printed on the BBC News UK website, 34-year-old James McGrath is an Australian national who has worked for the British Conservative Party for 7 years. He was appointed director of political strategy at City Hall under Johnson’s mayorship. McGrath resigned following allegations of racism in connection with remarks that he had made to reporter Marc Wadsworth of the-latest.com website. McGrath had responded to a question regarding British-Caribbeans threatening to leave the country en masse if a right-wing Conservative such as Johnson is elected mayor by saying “well let them (Caribbeans) go if they don’t like it here (Britain)”.

Hussein Shareef expressed concerns over the fact that McGrath with his reported attitude towards people of races other than his is not only involved in but controlling the MDP’s Presidential campaign as he feels that email correspondence between MDP leaders and McGrath indicate

Precedents

Shakoor said that today the SC has set two important precedents for the future of Maldivian justice today.

She said that she applauds the SC’s decision to declare that no law can apply retrospectively to actions taken place prior to the establishment of the law. She said that this maxim is followed in democratic countries worldwide and that the SC’s decision is both academic and just.

She said that the existing maxim for civil in the Maldives is that courts rule in favor of the party that presents a weightier probability. She said that the criminal court demands that the prosecution proves the defendants guilt beyond reasonable doubt and that now the SC has set the precedent that they demand the prosecution to prove guilt beyond all doubt.
Theft

In response to a request for comment on whether the SC’s ruling in favor of the EC’s decision to approve Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Presidential candidate Mohamed “Anni” Nasheed’s bid for the presidency confirms Nasheed’s innocence, Shakoor stated that the SC had made no comment on whether the Nasheed had or had not committed a crime.

She explained that the Court had said that there are two categories of theft under Shari’a Law one classified as thauzeeree and the other as deserving of a hadd. She said that the latter crime which if committed by a Presidential hopeful would disqualify their bid for the candidacy as per Article 109(g) of the 2008 Constitution, requires, in the event of no confession from the defendant, the testimony of two valid witnesses under Shari’a Law. As the criminal courts have decided that in Nasheed’s case the crime is classified as thauzeeree theft, Moosa Anwar’s case has no legal standing.

Convicts’ Vote

She also said that the high court has declared that Article 5(b) of the General Electoral Rules Act 2008 is in violation of the political rights set out in Article 16(a) of the 2008 Constitution.The case had been filed by both the Jumhooree Party (JP) and the AP, and that the JP’s case was heard as the ruling would decide the court’s stand on the issue.

Shakoor said that this effectively removes the restriction on convicts serving sentences in excess of 5 years from voting in elections.

She welcomed this change and said that the judiciary in general has set precedents today that deserve praise for their justice.

Deadlines

Shakoor also said that the high court has also decided that Article 22 of the Presidential Electoral Rules Act 2008 is not in violation of the 2008 Constitution in the case of Social Liberal Party (SLP) vs Article 22 of the Presidential Rules Act 2008.

Shakoor said that the court had said that the transitional chapter of the Constitution sets the deadlines for the 2008 Presidential elections for 10 October 2008 and that Article 22 of the Presidential Electoral Rules Act upholds this constitutional deadline.

The JP, Maldives National Congress (MNC) and AP had also filed suit to the same effect.

Shakoor said that the Maumoon 2008 Campaign welcomes the high court decisions as well as it is the campaign’s wish to have the elections held on the deadline that the Constitutional Assembly which represented the people of the Maldives had set out in the 2008 Constitution.