Capital out of touch as citizens foot the bill for political joy

Delusions of grandeur and the standing ovation

The parliamentarian representing the Baarah constituency, Ibrahim Shujau persists in maintaining the narrative that he is experiencing absolute bliss. He boldly proclaims that the public shares this joy, that anxiety is nonexistent and that every single matter is being handled with absolute perfection.

There is little doubt that whenever Shujau spouts these assertions, a wave of joy washes over Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. It must bring him immense satisfaction. It is easy to envision him offering enthusiastic applause in response to these claims.

Elite currency bubble

Shujau further declared that foreign currency is easily accessible and that no deficit exists. Naturally, for individuals in Muizzu’s position and Shujau’s, U.S. Dollars are almost certainly accessible in unlimited quantities at the official bank rate whenever requested. This reality is unquestionable and it clearly brings the incumbent, immense gratification.

However, one must look at the reality facing the ordinary public. When Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed vowed that the U.S. Dollar conversion rate would be brought down to MVR 15.42 within a two-year timeframe on the condition that a parliamentary majority was won, the public felt a sense of optimism and joy. Merchants and business owners shared that same hopeful outlook. At that moment, it was obvious you were the most joyful of all, because the public placed their trust in those assurances and handed you that very majority in parliament.

Super-majorities and skyrocketing rates

The incumbent is free to applaud until his hands ache. A substantial period has flown by since he captured that absolute super-majority within the legislative body. Despite this, the foreign exchange rate has failed to drop to the promised target. On the contrary, it keeps escalating, currently hovering around 21 and 22. The populace is far from joyful. They are not pleased in the slightest.

Shujau also brought up the point that the banking system allocates USD 2,000 for individuals journeying overseas to receive medical care under the Aasandha scheme. He implies that this is a reason for the public to celebrate. This logic is completely baffling. In the past, that USD 2,000 allowance was not confined to a single financial institution; citizens could access it across various banks. During that period, the public was perfectly content.

However, under the brilliant alternative arrangement you have rolled out, that specific USD 2,000 allowance tied to Aasandha paperwork has been restricted to just one solitary bank. When an individual is forced to reside overseas to battle a critical medical condition, is this really a scenario that should spark joy? Absolutely not. But because Shujau presents the narrative precisely how the incumbent desires to hear it, he remains pleased. The average citizen, conversely, is not.

Price tags and hidden hardships

Shujau is undoubtedly among those who understand perfectly well that the funds previously allocated to purchase a container of baby formula or a pack of diapers for an infant are no longer sufficient.

However, because he chooses to stay silent regarding this daily battle, the incumbent remains pleased. The incumbent is exceptionally pleased that the populace is being fed a false narrative. Meanwhile, the ordinary individual who visits the local shop and realizes they can no longer afford these basic necessities is far from joyful. The public is not pleased.

The situation is truly mind-boggling. The incumbent sits back with a wide grin, apparently brimming with joy, when presented with reports of progress in the medical sector and the supposed availability of Aasandha benefits and pharmaceuticals. It is an undeniable fact that when him or his political allies in parliament face health issues, he seeks medical attention in Singapore or alternative international hubs. The incumbent is pleased.

Meanwhile, the ordinary citizen, who falls into despair upon discovering the massive length of the waiting list just to consult a medical professional at IGMH, is far from pleased. Similarly, the individual who wanders aimlessly from one location to another like a lost soul, clutching a prescription only to discover the required medication is completely out of stock, is not pleased.

It is certainly true that the Bangkok Aasandha program the incumbent highlights might be within reach for him and a privileged handful of his lawmakers. If that objective is secured, the incumbent and Shujau have every reason to be pleased. But the defenseless individual, enduring a critical illness without proper medical care inside the Maldives and lacking the financial resources to journey abroad, is far from pleased.

Manufactured crowds and coerced smiles

There is no need to extend this catalogue of joy any further, so it shall end here. The incumbent may experience a rush of profound delight when looking at the assemblies gathered at Henveiru, gatherings comprised of his underlings bullying state-owned enterprise workers into showing up. He might even find himself unable to sleep due to pure joy from the clapping of those who stand there with lowered heads.

Even if these individuals stand in that place without uttering a single word of opposition, driven by anxiety over their employment security and the safety of their households, they are far from pleased. The populace is not pleased whatsoever. Perhaps the incumbent, Shujau and the small inner circle reaping the rewards of the incumbent’s favoritism are pleased.

In fact, they all may be very, very pleased indeed.