Qasim’s best option is to run as an ‘Independent’ candidate in the Presidential Elections

Qasim’s best option is to run as an ‘Independent’ candidate in the Presidential Elections

Qasim Ibrahim is an enigma. Born into a poor family, had little formal education, he spent his childhood as a servant boy dependent on the goodwill of the family he had to serve, and then, like the Phoenix rising from the ashes, he rose from his lowly beginnings to become a self-made multi-millionaire and a philanthropist, helping hundreds of Maldivians on the way. If this was America, Qasim Ibrahim would be hailed as the American Dream. He would be seen as an inspiration and a visionary; and someone who has beaten all the odds to become a potential for the top job.

But this is the Maldives; not the U S of A. Here, for every person who would hail Qasim Ibrahim as the most likely candidate to challenge and defeat the incumbent dictator Gayyoom, there will be one who would ridicule and pour scorn at the idea, because of the simple fact that he doesn’t have the ‘elitist credentials’ that they seek. In a small country like the Maldives, which has a long tradition of caste system, it will be hard for these people to accept the rise of a person like Qasim Ibrahim, who transformed from a servant boy to one of the most powerful and richest in the country. Furthermore, in the 21st century, many would find it difficult to believe that a man who has had little formal education can become their leader. But then again, see what happened with Gayyoom, the educated leader? We are still struggling to get rid of him.

Although Qasim was one of the 42 eminent people to have subscribed to forming the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) back in 2001, to the disappoint of many reformists, Qasim joined hands with dictator Gayyoom in 2005 and served as finance minister for almost 3 years. While Qasim never explained his reasons, many saw this as an unforgivable act. However, his other portfolio as Speaker of the Special Majlis (Constitutional Assembly) proved that Qasim is no whipping boy for Gayyoom. Of course, not all will agree with this analysis but the fact remains that he played a pivotal role in completing the constitutional reforms.

Qasim’s resignation from the cabinet as well as from Gayyoom’s political party, DRP, was not unexpected. In fact sources close to him were confident that he was no way interested in becoming dictator’s buffoon and give up his personal ambitions and destroy his reputation as a true friend of the Maldivian people.

The speculation now is that Qasim is eyeing for the top job. There is absolutely no doubt that if and when Qasim joins the presidential race, the whole political game will change instantly. Depending on the card he plays, Qasim could guarantee the end of the autocratic rule of dictator Gayyoom, after 3 decades. But, there are important factors that will yield this outcome and the most important of them all is for the opposition to be united.

All dictators use the ‘divide and rule’ policy to maintain their grip on power. Until recently, Gayyoom remained very much in control of his power base, but it all began to fragment after the killing of Evan Naseem and his friends in Maafushi jail in September 2003. Subsequently, when political parties were allowed to form and operate, he has had to devise cunning strategies to maintain his grip on power and survive. There is no doubt that he has so far managed to create friction between opposition groups and parties, enough to keep them divided and weaker, delaying his inevitable fall from power.

According to very reliable sources, Qasim is planning to join the recently formed Republican Party and will launch his bid for presidency with its platform. However, it would be exactly what the Dictator ordered. It would do nothing but encourage divisions between political groups, which would play nicely into the hands of the old fox Gayyoom.

It would be more far more prudent for Qasim to remain independent and strengthen the already formed National Unity Alliance. There is no doubt that Qasim has the political stamina, connection and the means to unite the opposition groups. If he chooses to proceed with this strategy, it would bring about the end of the corrupt rule of Kaaminee-Endheri Clan, however ironic it sounds.

In 1969, Qasim Ibrahim began his career as a clerk at the Government Hospital in Malé. In 1973, he left his job in the Government Hospital and took up an appointment as Manager at M/S Alia Furniture Mart. Subsequently, he worked for Crescent, a trading organisation, for a short period.

In 1974, he joined an outlet of the Maldivian Government Bodu Store, presently known as the State Trading Organisation (STO).

In 1976 he set up his own trading business, with an initial borrowed capital of US$2,000, which was then equivalent to 15,000 Maldivian Rufiyaa. He traded in commodities such as rice, tobacco, diesel and kerosene, which proved to be profitable, and the business experienced rapid growth.

After four years, Ibrahim was able to purchase his first shipping vessel, an old fishing vessel converted to carry cargo and oil, to facilitate oil imports. By April 14, 1986, Ibrahim's business was registered under the name of Villa Shipping and Trading Company Limited (Villa). Since then, the company has diversified its business to include tourism and inter-island marine transport. In addition, the company trades in an increasing number of products in the Maldives. Shell and Agfa are among the brand names represented by Villa in the Maldives, as a sole agent.

On the registration the shareholders were Ibrahim and Rabia Hussein, holding 95% and 5% respectively of the share capital. For strategic reasons, Villa Shipping (Singapore) Pte Limited was incorporated in Singapore on December 19, 1991, with Villa holding a major interest. The paid up capital by Villa Shipping (Singapore) now stands at S$500,000.

In October 1996, representative office, with the primary objective of promoting Villa resorts, opened in Frankfurt, Germany. Constraints on the activities permitted through the representative office led to the creation of a company with wider objectives. Villa Holidays Touristik GmbH was incorporated by Ibrahim on 23 July 1997 with a paid-up capital of DM500,000. The company aims to act as a wholesaler for holiday packages to the Maldives, an agent for sales of hotel rooms in the Maldives, sale of air tickets, and a vehicle for acquiring and trading of tourism related properties and real estate such as hotels and resorts worldwide.

In the year 2001 and 2002 Villa Hotels, Tokyo and Villa Hotels, Hong Kong were established respectively.