When the news is dubbing Anni the Obama of South Asia, Maldivians have yet to see any real success of his administration. Whilst the real Obama is spinning the minds of activists like Michael Moore with his 'superhero moves', Anni has yet to hold the businesses accountable for their lack of responsibility in developing the industries. Given that Maldives has a capitalist economy (the corruption and rule of power never really hindered the capitalists from becoming oligarchs), its failure should trigger head-hunts by the administration. Has anything happened yet? No.

There was also a promise of liquidation of Maumoon's assets to enrich the government coffers. Yet, the opposite has happened. Muleeaage has been added to the expense sheets of the presidential budget, and additional expense accounts opened for Aa'rah and Theemuge for the so-called 'dignitaries'. Instead of yielding the promised infusion of USD 300 million from liquidations, the government has consumed more than half the reserve that was in the treasury at the start of the year.

The employees of Maldives are no better off. The government went ahead and signed up with ILO but seemed to forget that this was an organization which acts as a mediator and not a problem-solver. The capitalists owning businesses could hardly be bothered as there is nothing that ILO can do to enforce any labour policies unless the government took action. This has led to the increase in strikes resulting in losses to businesses whose survival is crucial for the government's budget (which in turn forces the government to retaliate). There is no clear-cut legal framework governing the process of engagement between employees and employers. As things stand any body of employees can get together and go on strike without notice or intent.

The future of Maldives is bleaker than ever. The ambitious plans of decentralization and universal transport have enormous budgetary conflicts with the reinvigoration of education and lowering the standards of living (increasing the salaries, subsidizing consumer goods and/or controlling inflation are all costly affairs). The government seems to want to tackle everything at the same time without following a systematic prioritized approach. What good will privatizing (and thereby hopefully increasing the quality of) education do if no one can afford it in the end? What would it mean to the long-term cash-flow of the government if huge projects such as universal transportation and decentralization are capitalized with borrowings? Is there really a clever econometric model which supports these administrative decisions? If so, why has the public not seen it, especially given the administration's promise of transparency?

The first quarter of the new government's rule has clearly highlighted its disdain for accountability and sensibility. Its lack of respect for due process and constitutional responsibilities have resulted in gross transgressions such as opening the Majlis for a new term even before the new parliament was elected. Another clear violation by the current government (in light of the new constitution) is the assumption of the responsibility of parliamentary payroll.

The only remedy for the government's failures is the election of strong opposition voices in the parliament. Given that Anni is an established liar (refuting his promise for mid-term elections being the latest one) the people of Maldives will need to ensure that the government they have elected will be kept in check by the parliament they are about to elect. Maldives truly has democracy now. You have the power now, dear reader. Exercise it with all your might.