Faathma Fulhi loves Maumoon

There are three or four Vathan (Nation) within the Maldives now. The needs of these Vathan are different. One Vathan consists of the people who desperately need change and are willing to vote for an ugly guy with a yellow tie for the sake of change. The second Vathan consists of people who claim they want a change but are a bit reluctant to vote for an ugly guy who doesn't look like a president. They would rather vote for a heartthrob like Dr Hassan Saeed. Political scientists and analysts further divide this category into subcategories in which there are people who will grudgingly vote for that ugly guy and those who have still not made their minds on whether they will vote or will stay home without voting and watch Kasauti on October 28. An initiative heavily funded by Solah Shihab and Crown Company is now trying to appeal to those voters and unite them for change. The third Vathan consists of the people who will vote for the incumbent president Maumoon A. Gayoom (also known as Golhabo) because they believe he will protect the Islamic identity of Maldives, preserve the unity, and offer them dances by the pole dancer Suneetha. It is to this Vathan that elderly ladies such as Faathma Fulhi belong. After watching the dances of Suneetha for years they are fearful of a change. There is also a fourth Vathan with people who have already decided that democracy has come to Maldives and it is time to look into the future. It is to this category that Dr Munavvar belongs, as he is working to form the Labour Party, that will work on a pro-labour platform in a democratic republic of Maldives.

We caught up with Faathma Fulhi while she was on a pickup truck wearing a blue dhigu hedhun and blue scarve. She was taking all her grandchildren for a DRP truck ride. It took us sometime to convince her to leave the truck and share a few minutes with us. When I told her that I was Lubna from HFM she showed more enthusiasm.

Why are you voting for Maumoon?
FF: Because I have voted for him in all six elections since 1978

What are your most vivid images of earlier days of Maumoon's presidency?
FF: I was recruited to Avah Koppa Committee in 1980. We organised the protests against former President Nasir. I can still sing the anti-Nasir songs sung by Haaburi. The cartoons were pretty good too. I can also remember how handsome Maumoon was with his round spectacles and safari suits.

Do you think Dr Hassan has a resemblance to Maumoon of 1970s and 80s ?
FF: Yes. But Maumoon was er.. er.. is still more handsome.

What do you think of Civil Service Act?
FF: It is unfair that I will have to retire within a few years. I will miss the Avah Koppaa Committee. But as long as Maumoon is our President we will have no worries.

When is the Avah Koppaa Committee most active?
FF: During the elections. We go to houses in Henveiru and convince the voters that Maumoon is the best. Actually it was not the MDP that introduced door-to-door campaigning. We were doing it in the 80s too, only more discreetly.

What were the rewards for your work?
FF: You must have heard about the loans from the President's Office. I have received them three times. It is only now that an independent Auditor General is discovering this. We were receiving it during 80s too.

What did you do with the loans?
FF: I did replace my house's roof once. Let me see. I went to India once and stayed in Trivandrum for a year. It was so long ago. I can't remember all things that I did with the money....

What were you doing in Trivandrum?
FF: There were so many unmarried pregnant girls going there for abortion. I knew the discreet clinics. I was just giving them a helping hand....

Have you repaid the loans?
FF: Not yet.

Are you religious?
FF: Yes. In a 100% Muslim country all people are 100% religious.

When did you wear Buruga?
FF: After i came back from Hajj the first time. I brought 3 kg of gold from Mecca. Made quite a profit. Did several Tawaf around Kauba too.

Have you personally met with Maumoon?
FF: Of course. Several times. I still want to shake his hands. They are so soft....

So what do you think of the new DRP tactic of having dancing girls on stage?
FF: Most Maldivians like dances. They hero worship Seezan, Niuma and Manik. So I think it makes sense. I have attended all Galaxy shows in Olympus in 80s. It is good to see some music and dance in politics.

Do you think Suneetha will make a good First Lady if Nasreena dies?
FF: Yes. Er.. I haven't thought about it before. But I will be glad to be the First Lady...

Do you think Thasmeen will make a good President if Maumoon dies?
FF: No. There can be no other good president except Maumoon.

What have you got to say regarding Anni's claims that he will take the oath on 11 November?
FF: Only in his dreams. %&@#%&

FF: Now if you will excuse me I have to go back to my pickup truck.

Special thanks to Naseem and Microsoft Word Thesaurus for help with English polishing in this post.