ahmed nz 💬

| phd uc | interests: #maldives #war #history #politics #culture
#ocean #environment. | media Iife in society |

[Mohamed Firaq @mohamedfiraq]

Give me one example of a major foreign investment in the Maldives that has not borrowed money locally?

Why do many of these foreign investments import almost everything they need instead of sourcing more goods and services from the local economy don’t they have a moral obligation ?

And why do some operate through multiple accounts and financial structures, making it difficult to clearly understand how much foreign currency actually enters and remains within the Maldives?

Foreign investment is important and necessary, but we also need to ask whether our current policies ensure that these investments bring real foreign capital into the country, support local businesses, strengthen our banking system, and create lasting value for the Maldivian economy.

[ahmed nz 💬 @Maldivescalling]

Born right on campus, here at the #MaldivesNationalUniversity, the four-week-old kitten already looked ready for college. She will certainly be growing up along with other students and become a mature companion by graduation day!

[Ali Rilwan @AliRilwan]

https://t.co/8mwNSpXfhK

[ahmed nz 💬 @Maldivescalling]

@NaajihDidi @AliRilwan In today's geopolitics, Maldives sits as Indian Ocean's most important Central Island Nation bridging the Ocean's two halves; directly on top of the primary 'sea lines of communication' giving strategic depth for monitoring all types of ocean transits between the West & East!

[ahmed nz 💬 @Maldivescalling]

@NaajihDidi @AliRilwan Maldives journey to its central position was helped by plate tectonics moving hotspots & subsequent coral growth. Though "Age of Sail" elevated our geopolitical importance to W Europeans, we had already positioned over millennia as the hub on Indian Ocean's maritime crossroads!

[Ali Rilwan @AliRilwan]

https://t.co/kOF8aPhkMs

[ahmed nz 💬 @Maldivescalling]

Professor Srgjan Kerim-- a Macedonian diplomat, and President of the 62nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly and once an official candidate for the position of UN secretary General-- speaking at the Maldives National University

[ahmed nz 💬 @Maldivescalling]

Dr Athaulla Rasheed from the MNU Centre for Security & Strategic Studies & Mohamed Hoodh Ibrahim of MNU Faculty of Arts, discussing their book chapter written for "Handbook of State, Nation & Nationalism in South Asia", edited by Dr Amit Ranjan, a research fellow at ISAS at NUS.

[ahmed nz 💬 @Maldivescalling]

given the current rise in price of petrol & diesel, the arrival of the Maldives new taxi fleet of electric vehicles is very welcoming and in fact, very timely because with the availability of the EVs we have the choice of choosing a cheaper taxi.

[ahmed nz 💬 @Maldivescalling]

as members of the public, what're we doing? what's our consti role here? governments take referendums to ask us the public to give a mandate BEFORE they begin rewriting/amending the Constitution, the country’s supreme law. public referendums don't endorse a #CartBeforeTheHorse!

[ahmed nz 💬 @Maldivescalling]

Mv Constitution requires holding a national referendum before Parliament votes on a bill to change articles in the consti that are directly related to the citizens of Maldives. If such a bill exists/already passed, can this #CartBeforeTheHorse be constitutional? @MvBarCouncil

[ahmed nz 💬 @Maldivescalling]

a referendum is held to get the nation's majority view on a Proposed Change. hence, with a YES or NO vote, parliament drafts & passes the Bill accordingly & the President ratifies. public referendums don't endorse bills already passed by parliament. the public plays no role here

[ahmed nz 💬 @Maldivescalling]

the public does not play the intended role under the constitution, but that of the president in passing an ordinary legislation other than the constitution? 🤔 #CartBeforeTheHorse

[ahmed nz 💬 @Maldivescalling]

with global economy down, the worst is yet to come, especially for the Maldives. when the global economy is in crisis, tourism revenues will fall, and debt repayment will be negatively impacted, sending the country's economy to a low, just like what we experienced in 2020!

[ahmed nz 💬 @Maldivescalling]

The current Gulf War will probably see a major break through once the USS Tripoli, an amphibious assault ship, arrives in the Gulf carrying over 2000 marines. If they capture the kharg island, Iran's nerve centre of their oil export, they could block Iran's oil export.

[ahmed nz 💬 @Maldivescalling]

Some Israeli leaders view that taking over the Kharg island would cripple Iran Iran's oil export, causing the economy to collapse, leading to a quick regime change. destruction of the kharg island would also skyrocket global oil price creating financial havoc in many countries.

[ahmed nz 💬 @Maldivescalling]

after implementing a significant hike in retail fuel prices as a natural panic reaction to global surge in fuel prices, STO exempted fishermen and public transport. no politician would want to see "policies flip flop" when nation is voting on an important referendum on April 4.

[ahmed nz 💬 @Maldivescalling]

during the Nasir era, we had a big shipping fleet that ensured the country had sovereignty over our supply. now we have only 3 state ships. this number won't shield us when global carriers such Mersk & MSC increase transport costs due Gulf War 3 driving rise in transport cost$.

[ahmed nz 💬 @Maldivescalling]

cost-cutting of elections mean rather than reducing elections commission budget, more work should be done to trim the government's overall spending on elected members by reducing the number of elected members. less members mean less salaries & this gives the nation a big saving!

[ahmed nz 💬 @Maldivescalling]

If all elections are held on a single day it's a win for those- parties, candidates & govt- wanting to save money. the local reality is, whenever there's an election, parties, candidates & govt meet people & listen more; & invest more for each community!
https://t.co/C1dfVUA2Pz

[ahmed nz 💬 @Maldivescalling]

if the intention of election consolidation, or having one election, is aimed at cutting the overhead costs & to save money, it can best be done by reducing the number of the elected members, like 02 members from each atoll to the parliament or 03 members for an island council!

[ahmed nz 💬 @Maldivescalling]

cost cutting in election should be aimed at reducing the govt spending by cutting down the number of elected members. but cutting down the number of elections will further reduce the few opportunities the people already have to stamp their say. denying this is bad for democracy!

[ahmed nz 💬 @Maldivescalling]

when dates for holding different elections are staggered, not all seats are up for grab on same day. This process ensures continuity in the sense the govt & the parliament are not "reset" all at once! staggered elections also give people a chance to rate & vote on performance!