Wataniya - Life's NOT good for the contractors

Wataniya Telecom, a Middle Eastern telecom giant came into Maldives in 2005. When the contract was awarded a lot of Maldivian small businesses rushed to them to find work. As finding work on most of the islands is pretty hard and work is scarce, all across Maldives contractors were busy erecting towers, digging and doing construction for Wataniya Telecom so they would not miss the deadline, which was pretty ridiculous, and escape Government fines.

We have recently come to know that Wataniya or the the main contractor Fastcomms owes these contractor millions of rufiyaa and this has been in the Courts of Maldives for the entire life of Wataniya operational in Maldives. So we investigated and this is what a contractor “Ahmed” who hasn’t been paid for over 3 years has to say.

“When we heard the news that Wataniya was awarded the contract to become the second mobile operator we felt very happy as we can raise funds for our youth clubs and other activities by working as subcontractors for Wataniya. When we first went to Wataniya we were shown the main contractor Fastcomms. So as instructed by Wataniya we worked for Fastcomms”.

Who is this Fastcomms. Fastcomms is a Maldivian firm who won the contract to supply and roll out Wataniya network.

“When we didn’t get paid for over six months we filed the case against Fastcomms. But later we found out that Wataniya did not pay Fastcomms so we started to work with Fastcomms to file the case against Wataniya.”

“This case has dragged too long. Maybe because Wataniya’s Lawyer Dheena Hussain is related to the former first Lady. That is what I think. . Even the son in law of Maumoon works with Dheena .”

“But now the court has ruled that Wataniya has to give the money to Fastcomms and we will get paid then. To date Wataniya has not paid Fastcomms, even after the court ruling. So we have obtained a copy of the verdict and we want this to go to all newspapers. People should know what kind of people Wataniya is”

“I wish in this country we can file for damages. Our families have suffered because of that. Our business went bankrupt. In other countries I can file for damages”.

“We have worked with Dhiraagu during their tower project and they always pay on time. Government should not let foreign companies destroy our lives.”

“So today we have decided that we will give this verdict copy to media and tell all Maldivians what kind of a company Wataniya is”.

MDP Celebrates Mustafa win.

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate Mohamed Mustafa’s victory in the re-vote in Thimarafushi spells the end of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s influence over the nation, speakers at a rally last night said.

At the by-election on Saturday, Mustafa beat the former president’s son, Mohamed Gassan Maumoon, by 50 votes.

Mustafa was sworn in this morning by Supreme Court Justice Abdullah Arif at parliament before today’s sitting.

Speaking at the rally, “Reeko” Moosa Manik, MDP parliamentary group leader, said some people had not realised the government had changed.

“Some people in the civil service and those close to Maumoon have not woken up yet, but you have done it for them very well,” he said.

The rally in Thimarafushi was attended by President Mohamed Nasheed as well as MDP MPs.

Earlier in the day, the MDP entourage was greeted by a rapturous crowd of islanders.

“All the ecstasy means a lot. It shows that we're still maintaining our grass roots support; that we've not really gone away from them,” said MP and MDP Chairperson Mariya Ahmed Didi.

Mariya said MDP had been effective in parliament with 25 MPs, but will be “even louder now”.

At the rally, she said Mustafa’s win was the “second golden seat” for the party, with the presidency being the first.

MDP parliamentary group leader Moosa Manik said more MPs would be joining the party now.

“I think I will be majority leader in parliament soon,” he said. “Three are willing to join. One has signed, but we haven't officially announced it yet.”

MP “Colonel” Mohamed Nasheed added at the rally that many MPs of the opposition parties were having discussions to join MDP.

Young MPs of the opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party-People’s Alliance coalition had been asked to resign to make way for Gassan, he said.

In his speech, Mustafa spoke of the development projects planned for the island, including an airport, a yacht marina and a city hotel.

"I have pledged to find ways for you to stay with your families and work in the island," he said.

Mustafa said Thimarafushi islanders had suffered injustices under the previous government, describing Gayoom as the “most brutal leader in the past hundred years”.

Ahead of the 1994 parliamentary elections, 46 people were arrested from Thimarafushi.

Monopoly Roadrace ends

Dhiraagu, the largest telecom monopoly in Maldives, has successfully held its annul Broadband Road Race on Friday.

The event, organized by Dhiraagu in collaboration with the Athletics Association of Maldives (AAM), was held on Boduthakurufaanu Magu, starting off and ending at the Artificial Beach.
Dhiraagu’s annual Broadband Race held under four categories, professionals, Amateur, under 40 years groups, Amateur, above 40 years group and team events. Some 600 competitors took part in the event held in a very festive atmosphere.

The top prize in team event category was won by Team Sifa from Maldives Defense Force. In Amateur, above 40 years, female group, Aminath Nasiha won the top prize and in male group the top prize went to Ahmed Munthaz Moosa. In the Amateur group, under 40 years, top prize among female group went to Nazeera Abdul Raheem and in male group of the same category; the top prize went to Nashid Ali.

Cash prizes were awarded to winners and runners up of all categories. Top prize under professional category was awarded Rf. 8,000 while the runner up received Rf.6, 000. Top prizes of the Amateur category, both above 40 years and under 40 years, were awarded rf.5, 000 and runner up in this category was awarded Rf.4, 000. Rf. 10,000 was presented to winners of the team event category.

Further participant and the oldest participant were also given prizes. Dhiraagu Broadband Road Race was first held in 2007, to raise awareness of the speed, quality and benefits of Dhiraagu’s ADSL broadband service. Following the success of the initial race, the Dhiraagu Broadband Road Race has become an event on its own, and this is the third successive year the race was held. The main objective of the race is to promote healthier and active lifestyles in the community, Dhiraagu has said.

As Dhiraagu keeps on gaining more avenues to monopolize the industry the people of Maldives is still waiting for the day when the technology will eventually come to the promised "Aiy Foaraa Fashah". We will not see this light until the government can have an independant body as Regulator OR the Government stops doing business and sell all its shares in Dhiraagu and open up the market for more competition.

It was only last month that we saw Dhiraagu being awarded the Government Network of Maldives (GNM). This comes as a huge blow to the IT community who were looking forward to having an alternative connectivity option that can be affordable "Aiy Foaraa Fashugai"

MTDC has been banned! well almost.

Source: Minivannews

Religious conservative Adaalath party’s president appealed public not to buy shares from MTDC (Maldives Tourism Development Corporation) stating the company’s engagement in haram (prohibited in Islam) businesses such as sale of alcohol and pork as well as bank interest.

MTDC – the governments’ flagship public tourism company – started selling 688,123 shares on Monday, at a rate of US$ 13 per share, with a face value of US$8 and a premium value of US$5.

Speaking to Minivan News, Sheikh Hussein Rasheed Ahmed said there would not be any “excuse” when following Islam, saying the Maldives can also be promoted without alcohol and pork.

“Not only MTDC,” said the scholar, “All the resort investors are earning prohibited money.”

At present, MTDC owns and sub-leases nine resort islands, where 55 percent of the company shares are from public, and 45 percent are owned by the government.

Mohamed Mihad, MTDC managing director said Adaalath’s president’s remarks are politically motivated; adding he does not believe it is haram to buy shares from MTDC.

Adaalath is a party which promotes Islamic Sharia and principles.

Further, Mihad said the remarks of Sheikh Hussein would not affect their share market, adding the company decided to sell shares after the board of directors learned the allocated shares for the public is lower than 55 per cent.

“If the shares are sold at the existing speed,” he said, “we hope all the shares will be sold before the deadline.”

The deadline is on 18 August.

MTDC expects to raise over US$1 million from shares to develop a 100 bed resort in Alifu Alifu atoll Uligam.

Speaking about tourism without alcohol and pork, Sheikh Hussein said there are some countries, including Iran and some states of India, which have tourism without haram businesses.

Business Tycoon, Abdulla Jabir, who owns five resorts in the Maldives, said it was difficult to accept religious comments of Sheikh Hussein as sincere because he was a politician.

Jabir did not wish to comment on the whether the tourism industry can survive without alcohol and pork.

The issue of alcohol and pork surfaced after the minister of Islamic affairs Dr Abdul Majeed Abdul Bari, who also belongs to Adaalath, said government revenue from import duties on alcohol and pork was haram.

During the debate last month on a bill proposed by the government to reduce and eliminate import duties, some MPs called for increasing import duties for alcohol and pork.

But, the economic affairs committee of parliament, which is currently reviewing the bill, decided against the increase yesterday.

Dr. Majeed intended to sell Pork and Alcohol in 2005

A.S.I.Moosa (Sappe’), Dhivehi Observer, 05 April 2005

Scroll Down to the text in red

Winners of the 11 new resorts tendered last year was announced today but the basic mood amongst the bidders is that of disappointment and utter waste of time and money. As anticipated they were awarded to the same parties which scored the highest points in the controversial markings done by Ismail Firag�s �Angels� belonging to the unknown American firm who completed the evaluation is world record time. Tourism Minister Dr Luthfee said that the islands would be finally awarded to parties after thoroughly checking whether one party or company gets more than one resort. However, Ismail Firag (who allegedly gets a 5% of Sunland Pvt Ltd�s profits and VIP treatment and free booze from all their resort) has ensured that Sunland got 3 resorts even this time. N. Maavelaavaru, Th. Kalhufahalafushi and Ga. Funamaudua have been awarded to Sunland. Some say they secured a 4th one through a made up company. This brings the number of resorts owned/operated by Sunland Pvt Ltd to 9 or 10 now. In 1997 Sunland was awarded 3 islands out of which they only managed to build only one and had to dispose off the other two for relatively small cash payments. This time, AAA Company also secured more than one resort in the names of their directors but the good thing is they can afford to build and develop and operate their own resorts and not sell them to tycoons.
In Maldives, the economic wealth and power is in the hands of less than 3% of the population, which comprises of Gayyoom�s family, friends and close associates. This is believed to be another world record for Maldives. In a democratic society, income distribution has to be equitable, the cumulative share of income would be equal to the cumulative population share. As Adam Smith said, you can never achieve perfect distribution but it is important to work toward that. It is a fact that the lesser the income disparity, the healthier the economy and the more prosperous people are. For example, In America (USA) (which is by far the largest economy and the richest country in the world) more than 99.6% of the country�s wealth is controlled by more than 90% of the population which has ensured that they are by far the world�s most prosperous and richest nation in the world with nearly US$ 30,000 GDP per capita with a population of nearly 300 million. Hence, it would have been much wiser and better for the economy as well as less risky if these new resorts had been awarded to 11 new parties, who do not have any resorts but could benefit enormously from owning and managing a resort, such as the prominent travel agents in Maldives, like Sea N See, Skorpion Travel, Capital Travel & Tours and Inner Maldives, just to mention a few. Sadly, Gayyoom knows bugger all about economics and hasn�t got a clue of the definition of economy of scale.
Maumoon is unlikely to change his decisions but let us at least hope that the resort owners have the courage to demand for a reduction of rent based on the current change in the demand for Maldives as a result of the December '04 tsunami. Surely, Maldives is no longer the ultimate worry free holiday destination in the world and according to confirmed reports from resort operators, they have seen a totally different trend of business than it was before the tsunami and the threat of another tsunami at any given time will undoubtedly be detrimental to the tourism industry. Once again, sadly, Gayyoom has no idea what global economy means or rather what macro-economics is.
Tourism Ministry which calculates rents for the current existing resorts has a policy of charging high rents to those resorts which are closer to Male International Airport and the lower to those which are further away. The further away it is, the lower the rent is calculated perhaps makes economic sense. Those who have been granted resorts at rents of USD7,250 to Maldivian Bangalhi price Shuaib for Hdh.Dhonakulhi and USD7,000 taken by Abdul Rauf (M.Snowrose) for Lh. Hudhufushi, are both still not in operation. Abdul Rauf was given a 50% write-off for the rent he owed to the government till December of 2004 because his daughter is married to Prince Faris, Son of King Gayyoom and similar favours rendered to Shuaib because he is married to Prince Dunya, daughter of Gayyoom who is Gayyoom�s favourite to succeed him to the throne.
Only a few will benefit from this deal, Gayyoom and his cronies like Ismail Firag. Winner of these resorts are not the richest people in Maldives but will in deed file for bankruptcy unless a more democratic government is installed who will review their rents in accordance with international and global market trends and based on macro-economics.

The 'Unlucky' Winners are:

SH. ALIDHOO

Awarded to Tranquility Pvt Ltd whose shareholders are Ahmed Saleem(H. Fashan) and Zuleyha Mohamed of the same house for an average rent of USD11,080 per bed over the next 10 years

HDH. HONDAAFUSHI

Awarded to Mr Abdulla Ali (H.Giritherege), the main shareholder of AAA company which already operates 4 resorts for an average rent of USD27,777 over the next 10 years

SH DHOLHIYADHOO

Awarded to Mr Mohmed Latheef (H Baraboamaage) for an average rent of USD17,950 per bed over the next 10 years

N RANDHELI

Awarded to the late Mohamed Zahid (Six-X Zahid) of M. Vaadheege (Maumoon�s relative) for an average rent of USD18,125 per bed over the next 10 years

N MAAVELAVARU

Awarded to Big Island Resorts Pvt Ltd whose shareholders are Husnu Al Suood (Husband of Sunland shareholder�s sister) of Ma. Uraha, Dr Abdullah Zahir (again another husband of Sunland shareholder�s sister) of Ma. Uraha and Dr Abdul Majeed Abdul Baaree (Sunland Shareholder) of H. Lantan for an average rent of USD21,550 per bed over the next 10 years

TH. KALHUFAHALAFUSHI

Awarded Mr. Shabeer Ahmed (H. Millennia), the largest shareholder of Sunland Pvt Ltd for an average rent of USD26,758 per bed over the next 10 years

L. OLHUVELI

Awarded to Mr. Mohamed Ibrahim Didi (Neeravali, Gn. Fuahmulah / c/o: G. Veyla) for an average rent of USD16,649.8 per bed over the next 10 years

GA. FUNAMAUDUA

Awarded to Dhekunu Dhuni Investments Pvt Ltd whose shareholders are Aishath Lululina (Daughter of Sunland shareholder Mr Nazeer of H. Gadhage Hulhangubai, Mohamed Muzuny (Ma. Thabagge�) and Mohamed Nazeer (Sunland Shareholder) of H. Lantan for an average rent of USD10,350 per bed over the next 10 years

GA. HADAHAA

was awarded to Driftwood Maldives Pvt Ltd whose shareholders are Ashraf Ali, Arshad Ali, Asad Ali and Shaaheena Ali, all from M. Vaareyvilla for an average rent of USD10,300 per bed over the next 10 years

GDH. KONOTTA

Awarded to Crystal Lagoon Resorts Pvt Ltd whose shareholders are Ali Ahmed(S. Maradhoo, (Keeranmaage) and Mohamed Rasheed (M. Hanifaru) and Ahmed Haleem`(Ma. Naibuge�) and Abdullah Ali`(Gdh. Thinadhoo Fen Muleege) for an average rent of USD11,600 per bed over the next 10 years

GDH.LONUDHUAHUTTA

Awarded to One and Half Degree Maldives Pvt Ltd, whose shareholder are Ibrahim Naseer (M. Naseemusobaa) and Hussein Solah (G. Fithuroanuge�) for an average rent of USD12,500 per bed over the next 10 years

Source: Dhivehi Observer

NEC computers out of Asia Pacific as of July 2009

Asia Pacific, March 27, 2009 - NEC Computers Asia Pacific Sdn. Bhd. (NECCAP) today announced its intention to withdraw from the PC markets in South and Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, as well as Australia and New Zealand. Due to adverse worldwide economic conditions, and the PC industry's rapidly changing circumstances, NEC has determined that the Asia Pacific PC market for its business holds less potential for expansion, and the company has decided to withdraw from the Asia Pacific PC market in order to focus solely on Japan's PC market, where NEC holds a leading position.

As a result of these recent business trends, NECCAP will institute an orderly withdrawal plan which includes the cessation of any new PC offerings from July, 2009.

NEC will continue to offer ongoing support to existing customers and to honor its warranty and extended support agreements through its network of authorised service providers.

Source: www.nec.com

So do we block Minivannews for this?