Ahmed Thasmeen Ali Explained

Honorific-Prefix:Honourable
Ahmed Thasmeen Ali
Order:Leader of Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party
Member Peoples Majlis
Term Start:17 February 2010
Term End:2013
Predecessor:Maumoon Abdul Gayoom
Birth Date:30 September 1966
Birth Place:Male'
Office2:Minister of Atolls Development
Term Start2:2007
Term End2:2008
President2:Maumoon Abdul Gayoom
Preceded2:Abdulla Hameed
Succeeded2:Mohamed Waheed Deen
Office3:Minister of Home Affairs
Term Start3:14 July 2005
Term End3:25 June 2007
President3:Maumoon Abdul Gayoom
Preceded3:Ismael Shafeeu
Succeeded3:Abdulla Kamaaludeen
Party:Maldives Democratic Party (Since 2013)Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (till 2013)
Spouse:Visam Ali
Children:one
Website:https://web.archive.org/web/20110925230901/http://www.thasmeen.org/
https://web.archive.org/web/20120324173118/http://www.drp.mv/

Ahmed Thasmeen Ali (born 1966; Divehi; Dhivehi; Maldivian: އަޙްމަދު ތަސްމީން ޢަލީ), leader of Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party[1] is a Maldivian MP, philanthropist and a businessman. Thasmeen started his career as a civil servant and after venturing into politics he was elected to Peoples Majlis from Baa Atoll and later he served in Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's cabinet and was his running mate in the first multiparty election held in the Maldives in 2008.[2]

His first Cabinet portfolio was Minister of Atolls Development and later served as Minister of Home Affairs,(14 July 2005 – 25 June 2007).[3]

He is the Former leader of the opposition political party, Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party, and was, until May 2012,[4] Minority Leader in the Peoples Majlis of the Maldives.[5]

Education, family early career

He holds a BA degree in economics from University of Warwick in England and a master's degree in political science of the American University in Cairo, Egypt. Thasmeen is married to Ms. Visam Ali MP for Raa. Maduvvaree legislative circle and the couple have a child. Thasmeen practices diving, snorkeling, sea sports and fishing in his free time. Besides native language Dhivehi he is fluent English and understands Arabic (having lived in Egypt for his Masters studies.) Ahmed Thasmeen Ali owns resorts and other businesses, including Reethi Beach Resort and Fonaddhoo Tuna Products. He is a philanthropist.

Mr. Thasmeen was active in student association activities in England and in Cairo, Egypt.[6]

He has been an MP for Baa atoll since the 1990s.

Political career

Thasmeen is active in politics since 1994 and was elected to Parliament for the first time in 1994. Since then he has been representing Baa Kendhoo Constituency.[7] In addition to that he has held various posts as a civil servant at the Ministry of Youth and Sports,[8] Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and later he served as Minister of Atolls Development and Minister of Home Affairs.

In the October 2008 presidential election, he was the running mate[9] of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who was Asia's longest-serving President.

Maldives Police Capacity Building

Maldives Police Service was introduced as a separate civilian agency during Mr. Thasmeen's tenure as Minister of Home Affairs.[10] He embarked on recruiting new police personnel and introduced Jail reform activities with the help from Western Australia Police to comply with international human rights norms. He started construction of a maximum security prison with a vision to improve the living condition for inmates.[11]

The first Police Training School, housed in Addu Atoll was opened under his patronage.

Many modern scientific methods of investigation in Maldives Police Service were introduced under his instruction, including establishing Forensic Labs and deployment of CCTV camera in strategic points in the capital of Male'. The Community Policing concept used in policing in the Maldives is introduced under his guidance.[12]

In a leaked cable titled PROSPECTS FOR REFORM DOMINATE DISCUSSIONS INMALDIVES the followings were noted:"Home Affairs Minister Ahmed Thasmeen Ali join acabinet that is growing younger and more dynamic asPresident Gayoom continues to make changes in an effort toprompt progress in the Special Majlis (parliament) that isconsidering constitutional reforms.

"Thasmeen Ali was keen to continue to develop the capacity ofthe national police force, which was split from theNational Security Service (Maldives? military) late lastyear. He also outlined plans to develop a separate, well-trained prison service and to construct a new prison onMaahfushi Island, noting that the current prison there, inwhich prisoners are kept in large common areas rather thansmaller cells, makes it almost impossible to control orremove individual prisoners. He noted that his ministry,as part of the GoRM decision to invite the ICRC in to lookat prison conditions, will work from ICRC standards as itdesigns the new prison".[13]

Party to new heights

During Thasmeen's leadership he took DRP to a new height. Though DRP was defeated in the 2008 presidential election he managed to increase the party membership and made gains in the parliamentary election and local elections.

With Thasmeen at the helm DRP secured more seats in the parliament than Nasheed's ruling MDP. This is a major victory to DRP, especially since this came during the honeymoon period of the new government.[14]

During the split of the party there was much criticism leveled to Mr. Thasmeen by Gayoom supporters accusing Thasmeen of the 2008 defeat. However, DRP issued a statement reflecting of the past success in elections under Thasmeen saying "we note with regret that the party was unable to win a single election under President Maumoon’s leadership when it was in the government".

"One of the main reasons for DRP having to face one of its biggest defeats (2008 Presidential Election) and MDP coming to power and causing despair for most citizens was the fact that the whole presidential campaign was run by Gayoom’s eldest son Farish Maumoon as a family matter", said DRP statement.[15] However, the gains DRP made in the parliamentary election[16] did not last long.[17] With the internal conflict[18] it took a toll on party in terms on numbers in the parliament[19] and Gayoom formed a new political party.[20] With the formation of PPM, DRP accused PPM of poaching members[21] and later in the parliament it paved way for President Nasheed's MDP to gain majority on the floor.[22]

GMR Issue

With the internal strife going on in DRP the Deputy Leader of DRP Mr. Umar Naseer alleged that Thasmeen and Speaker of the Parliament met GMR, new operator of Maldives International Airport, and the company had bribed them. Speaking to Miadhu daily[23] Thasmeen said there is no reasonable motive for GMR to hold secret talks with him and the leasing of the airport came in a time when Peoples Majlis is tirelessly working on securing state assets. Replying to a question on what can be done Thasmeen said "The matter is in judicial phase. Then what else can be done? It is impossible to hold demonstrations in the airport and cause strife there. Should we destroy the tourism industry of this country?”[24] [25]

The Anti-Corruption Commission investigated the matter and questioned Mr. Umar Naseer and Mr. Gayoom and issued a report saying the commission was not provided with any solid evidence to make these allegations. In his testimonies to ACC, the Honorary Leader of DRP, Gayyoom said that he was informed about the trip of Thasmeen and Shahid from the media and he got a SMS message stating the same. However, he said that he does not remember the sender.[26]

Political positions

Notes and References

  1. News: Its party time in Maldives again! . Maldives Today . 30 September 2011 . 26 February 2012 . Maldives Today . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130603031031/http://www.maldivestoday.com/2011/09/30/its-party-time-in-maldives/ . 3 June 2013 .
  2. News: About Thasmeen . Thasmeen.org . 2010 . 25 February 2012 . Thasmeen.org . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110925230901/http://www.thasmeen.org/ . 25 September 2011 .
  3. News: Previous heads of the ministry . Ministry of Home Affairs . 2010 . 25 February 2012 . Ministry of Home Affairs . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101119160843/http://en.homeaffairs.gov.mv/?page_id=32 . 19 November 2010 .
  4. Web site: Abdulla Yaameen named Minority Leader . https://archive.today/20130216165132/http://www.raajjenews.com/archive-35.htm . dead . 16 February 2013 . Raajje News . 31 May 2012 .
  5. News: Majority and Minority leaders (in Dhivehi) . Peoples Majlis . 2010. 25 February 2012 . Peoples Majlis.
  6. Web site: Thasmeen aspires to be the President of Maldives. 7 March 2005. Dhivehi Observer. 2010-02-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20100104190848/http://dhivehiobserver.com/whoiswho/Ahmed%20Thasmeen%20Ali%20Maldives.htm. 4 January 2010. dead.
  7. News: Parliamentary Elections 2009: Interim results for Baa atoll constituencies being announced . https://archive.today/20120730032452/http://www.eydhafushitimes.com/beta/content/print.php?id=60 . dead . 30 July 2012 . Eydhafushi Times . 2009 . 23 February 2012 . Eydhafushi Times .
  8. News: Youth Policy . ESCAP . 1–5 June 1998 . 26 February 2012 . ESCAP . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081013151238/http://www.escap-hrd.org/youth/junparts.htm . 13 October 2008 .
  9. News: Gayoom campaign kicks off . https://archive.today/20120910142228/http://www.miadhu.com/2008/08/local-news/gayoom-campaign-kicks-off-7370/ . dead . 10 September 2012 . Miadhu Daily . 10 August 2008 . 24 February 2012 . Miadhu Daily .
  10. News: Graduation ceremony of 14th police recruit training course held at Police Training School Addu . Maldives Police Service . 11 March 2008. 24 February 2012 . Maldives Police Service.
  11. News: Human rights training for Maldives police . Miadhu Daily . 8 November 2006 . 23 February 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081201190359/http://www.thecommonwealth.org/news/163105/156408/maldives_police_cheer_training_in_human_rights.htm . 1 December 2008 .
  12. News: Minister of Home Affairs and Commissioner of Police meet UK Expert . Miadhu Daily . 3 June 2006 . 23 February 2012 .
  13. News: PROSPECTS FOR REFORM DOMINATE DISCUSSIONS IN MALDIVES . WIKI LEAKS . 21 October 2005. 24 February 2012 . US Embassy Colombo.
  14. News: Maldives Today . 11 February 2011 . 26 February 2012 . Maldives Today . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130603030833/http://www.maldivestoday.com/2011/02/17/peoples-pulse/ . 3 June 2013 .
  15. News: DRP condemns Gayoom's remarks on losing ground to MDP . Minivan Daily . 3 October 2011 . 24 February 2012 . Ahmed Nasih . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111018072208/http://minivannews.com/politics/drp-condemns-gayooms-remarks-on-losing-ground-to-mdp-26423 . 18 October 2011 .
  16. News: MALDIVES Majlis (People's Majlis). IPU . 2009. 26 February 2012 . IPU via Majlis .
  17. News: MDP winning Majlis . https://archive.today/20130129182826/http://www.miadhu.com/2011/05/local-news/mdp-winning-majlis/ . dead . 29 January 2013 . Miadhu Daily . 23 May 2011 . 24 February 2012 . Fathih Hussain .
  18. News: DRP Internal conflict will be solved, assured Leader Thasmeen . Maldives Today . 7 April 2011 . 24 February 2012 . Maldives Today . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130603030947/http://www.maldivestoday.com/2011/04/07/drp-internal-conflict-will-be-solved-assured-leader-thasmeen/ . 3 June 2013 .
  19. News: News Analysis: Numbers game in Parliament . Asian Tribune . 4 July 2011. 24 February 2012 . Poorna Rodrigo .
  20. News: Gayoom expresses "disappointment" with Thasmeen's DRP, upon his return . Minivan Daily . 14 May 2011 . 24 February 2012 . Neil Merrett . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111227163857/http://minivannews.com/politics/gayoom-expresses-%E2%80%9Cdisappointment%E2%80%9D-with-thasmeens-drp-upon-his-return-20164 . 27 December 2011 .
  21. News: DRP accuses PPM of using cash incentives and development funding to poach members . Minivan Daily . 22 February 2011 . 25 February 2012 . JJ Robinson . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111225212744/http://minivannews.com/politics/drp-accuses-ppm-of-using-cash-incentives-and-development-funding-to-poach-members-27108 . 25 December 2011 .
  22. News: DRP MPs number drops to 17 . Haveeru Daily . 4 October 2011 . 25 February 2012 . Ahmed Hamdoon . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002441/http://www.haveeru.com.mv/thasmeen_ali/37986 . 4 March 2016 .
  23. News: No reasonable motive for GMR to hold secret talks with me- Thasmeen . https://archive.today/20120904214120/http://www.miadhu.com/2011/04/local-news/no-reasonable-motive-for-gmr-to-hold-secret-talks-with-me-thasmeen/ . dead . 4 September 2012 . Miadhu Daily . 22 April 2011 . 26 February 2012 . Abdul Latheef .
  24. News: Thasmeen denies meeting GMR . https://archive.today/20120907022137/http://www.miadhu.com/2010/11/local-news/thasmeen-denies-meeting-gmr/ . dead . 7 September 2012 . Miadhu Daily . 21 November 2010 . 26 February 2012 . Miadhu Daily .
  25. News: Thasmeen, Shahid deny meeting GMR officials . Haveeru Daily . 20 November 2010 . 26 February 2012 . haveeru Daily . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054732/http://www.haveeru.com.mv/english/details/32917 . 4 March 2016 .
  26. News: I don't know if Shahid and Thasmeen took bribes from GMR or not- Gayyoom . World Freedom Watch . 25 June 2011 . 26 February 2012 . Staff Writer .
  27. News: Civil Service Bill Presented to People's Majlis. Haveeru Daily . 27 October 2005. 26 February 2012 . Via Haveeru.
  28. News: MJA met DRP . MJA . 25 February 2010 . 26 February 2012 . MJA . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130703040751/http://maldivesjournalistassociation.org/index.php/component/content/article/38-news/114-mja-met-with-drp/ . 3 July 2013 .
  29. News: Govt is becoming more and more despotic: Thasmeen . https://archive.today/20120906190816/http://www.miadhu.com/2012/01/local-news/govt-is-becoming-more-and-more-despotic-thasmeen/ . dead . 6 September 2012 . Miadhu Daily . 25 January 2012 . 25 February 2012 . Shaheeda Saeed .
  30. News: Govt does nothing but padlock every office that they do not have an influence upon- Thasmeen . https://archive.today/20120907055403/http://www.miadhu.com/2011/10/local-news/govt-does-nothing-but-padlock-every-office-that-they-do-not-have-an-influence-upon-thasmeen/ . dead . 7 September 2012 . Miadhu Daily . 31 October 2011 . 23 February 2012 . Shaheeda Saeed .
  31. News: Political influence in the top leadership of Maldives Police: Thasmeen . Maldives Today . 30 October 2011 . 26 February 2012 . Maldives Today . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111031152920/http://www.maldivestoday.com/2011/10/30/political-influence-in-the-top-leadership-of-maldives-police-thasmeen/ . 31 October 2011 .
  32. News: Govt wants to hijack all the three states of power- Thasmeen . https://archive.today/20130128181905/http://www.miadhu.com/2011/11/local-news/govt-wants-to-hijack-all-the-three-states-of-power-thasmeen/ . dead . 28 January 2013 . Miadhu Daily . 1 November 2011 . 23 February 2012 . Murshid Abdul Hakeem .
  33. News: Foreign investors don't trust current regime- Thasmeen . https://archive.today/20120903151646/http://www.miadhu.com/2011/11/local-news/foreign-investors-don%E2%80%99t-trust-current-regime-thasmeen/ . dead . 3 September 2012 . Miadhu Daily . 20 November 2011 . 23 February 2012 . Shaheeda Saeed .
  34. News: Anti-Islamic ideology promoted in the country for the last three years repeatedly – Thasmeen . https://archive.today/20130128200303/http://www.miadhu.com/2011/11/local-news/anti-islamic-ideology-promoted-in-the-country-for-the-last-three-years-repeatedly-%E2%80%93-thasmeen/ . dead . 28 January 2013 . Miadhu Daily . 27 November 2011 . 23 February 2012 . Abdul Latheef .
  35. News: Initiative of to take no-confidence vote against Nasheed was called off by Thasmeen- Mahloof . Miadhu Daily . 14 October 2011 . 23 February 2012 . Shaheeda Saeed . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111016055527/http://www.miadhu.com/2011/10/local-news/initiative-of-to-take-no-confidence-vote-against-nasheed-was-called-off-by-thasmeen-mahloof/ . 16 October 2011 .
  36. News: DRP didn't adopt a system which follows personalities- Thasmeen . https://archive.today/20120919000950/http://www.miadhu.com/2011/10/local-news/drp-didn%E2%80%99t-adopt-a-system-which-follows-personalities-thasmeen/ . dead . 19 September 2012 . Miadhu Daily . 18 October 2011 . 23 February 2012 . Shaheeda Saeed .
  37. News: Thasmeen rebuts Gayoom in less than 3 hrs after Gayoom's resignation . Miadhu Daily . 5 September 2011 . 23 February 2012 . Shaheeda Saeed . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140720200520/http://www.miadhu.com/2011/09/local-news/thasmeen-rebuts-gayoom-in-less-than-3-hrs-after-gayoom-submitted-his-resignation/ . 20 July 2014 .
  38. News: Gayoom resigns from DRP . Miadhu Daily . 5 September 2011 . 23 February 2012 . Shaheeda Saeed . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140714230953/http://www.miadhu.com/2011/09/local-news/gayoom-resigns-from-drp/ . 14 July 2014 .
  39. News: More people will join DRP when those who oppose party charter resigns- Thasmeen . https://archive.today/20120903223701/http://www.miadhu.com/2011/09/local-news/more-people-will-join-drp-when-those-who-oppose-party-charter-resigns-thasmeen/ . dead . 3 September 2012 . Miadhu Daily . 8 September 2011 . 23 February 2012 . Abdul Latheef .
  40. News: AP and DRP calls govt to give full cooperation to Palestine to establish a viable sovereign state . https://archive.today/20130128150147/http://www.miadhu.com/2011/09/local-news/ap-and-drp-calls-govt-to-give-full-cooperation-to-palestine-to-establish-a-viable-sovereign-state/ . dead . 28 January 2013 . Miadhu Daily . 21 September 2011 . 23 February 2012 . Abdul Latheef .
  41. News: Nasheed Answers Concerns Voiced by DRP-Opposition on Govt's Fiscal and Economic Reform Programme . Miadhu Daily . 22 August 2011 . 23 February 2012 . Abdul Latheef . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110913155958/http://www.miadhu.com/2011/08/local-news/nasheed-answers-concerns-voiced-by-drp-opposition-on-govt%E2%80%99s-fiscal-and-economic-reform-programme/ . 13 September 2011 .
  42. News: No opposition leader other than Thasmeen was brave enough to meet Nasheed- Shareef . Miadhu Daily . 23 August 2011 . 23 February 2012 . Shaheeda Saeed . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110914120411/http://www.miadhu.com/2011/08/local-news/no-opposition-leader-other-than-thasmeen-was-brave-enough-to-meet-nasheed-shareef/ . 14 September 2011 .

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Ahmed Thasmeen Ali".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.