The "sinking Maldives" revisited: Tourism key to "the Maldives's rise to become South Asia's wealthiest nation"

                                This was probably Mohamed Nasheed's most succesful PR stunt.


Only a couple of years ago, warmist MSM were full of stories about the Maldives, "the string of paradisiacal Indian Ocean islands that could become the first nation lost - entirely - to climate change". The tiny country's then president Mohamed Nasheed - the darling of the global warming church - declared that there only was "a window of opportunity of about seven or eight years.''

Today, with Nasheed gone, that "sinking feeling" is also gone, but you will not find the real story in the mainstream media:

 

The Maldives tourist industry celebrated over one million arrivals last year for the first time in its history, with an increase in 17 percent compared with the previous year’s figures.

Growing from just 2 resorts with a bed capacity of 280 in 1972, the industry now encompasses over 100 resorts with a bed capacity of around 25,000.

Tourism now directly accounts for around thirty percent of the country’s GDP and has contributed to the Maldives’s rise to become South Asia’s wealthiest nation, with GDP per capita doubling over the past ten years alone.

The current government hopes to expand bed capacity in order to achieve the current Tourism Masterplan’s projection of 1.75 million arrivals by 2021.

Neither do the envirofundamentalist media report on these developments:

Best Choice Real Estate Development, a newly established Saudi Arabian real estate investment and development firm based in Riyadh, is developing $100mn Vadinolhu Island located in Laamu Atoll in the Maldives to be ready in 2017 as a premier resort.
Aside from developing the isle as a tourist destination, the international developer plans to offer lucrative investment opportunities to investors.--

Retaj Marketing and Project Management is to sign an agreement to construct hotels, a shopping mall and hotel apartments in the Maldives, according to reports.
The Qatar-based firm has been in negotiations with the Maldives government for nearly 18 months, as part of the company's overseas investment strategy, said Mohammed bin Jawhar, deputy chairman.

Quite a different "window of opportunity" for the Maldives!

Democracy live and kicking in Maldives: Nasheed´s party looses

While stunt master Nasheed is enjoying  Hollywood  hospitability in the US, democracy  is working  well  in his home country

“What I would like to do initially is have democracy back in the Maldives”

Mohamed Nasheed, former president of the Maldives (New York, March 29, 2012)




While the international master of global warming stunts has been enjoying first class hospitability during the promotional tour of the global warming documentary propaganda film "The Island President", democracy is working well in his home country: 

President Mohamed Waheed of the Maldives, accused of seizing power in a military-backed coup, successfully faced down his first popularity test Saturday with his favourites winning two by-elections.

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Government-backed Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) candidate Ahmed Shareef won Thimarafushi constituency with 1,755 votes while former president Mohamed Nasheed's Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) got only 1,327.

In Kaashidhoo, the Jumhoory Party candidate who was supported by Waheed won with 1,107 votes while the MDP candidate managed only 784.

The election was for two seats in the 77-member People's Majlis.

More than 85 percent of the 6,000 electorate turned out to vote, official results showed. The voting was peaceful, elections commission spokesman Mohamed Tholal said.

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Former president Nasheed, who stepped down in February, has claimed that he was forced to resign following a military coup which was backed by his then deputy, Waheed, who went on to succeed him.

Waheed has denied allegations that he was involved in any coup and has ordered a government investigation into Nasheed's controversial exit from office.

Colombo-based diplomats, who are also accredited to Male, said Saturday's vote was a crucial test for Waheed who has promised early presidential elections to end a political crisis after Nasheed's resignation.

In New York Nasheed also complained that the current government has not yet addressed climate change:

Nasheed expressed concern that without a strong platform on the issue the Maldives would disappear from international awareness.

This is probably the only correct global warming statement  "the island president" has ever made. Indeed, without Nasheed´s global warming stunts the Maldives will, quite rightly, finally disappear from "international (climate change) awareness" - and continue to be a popular tourist destination. 

(image wikipedia)

The end of a failed presidency: "The Island President" resigns

"The Island President" - Another total failure

No more underwater cabinet meetings in the Maldives. The darling of the international AGW cultists, Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed, resigned today following weeks of sometimes violent public protests over his controversial order to arrest a senior judge:

It marked a stunning crash for Nasheed, a former human rights campaigner who defeated the nation's longtime ruler in the country's first multiparty election. Nasheed was also an environmental celebrity, traveling the world to persuade government's to combat the climate change that could send sea levels rising and inundate his archipelago nation.

Nasheed fell out of public favor after he ordered the military to arrest Abdulla Mohamed, the chief judge of the Criminal Court.

The arrest came after the judge ordered the release of a government critic, calling his arrest illegal.

Read the entire article here


Maybe Nasheed now will have more time to enjoy his membership in the Legacy club for very affluent Asians?

Hilton hypocrites promoting another climate change scam

Some of the readers of this blog may remember the post about Hilton Hotels Worldwide "sustainability" hypocrites announcing the "shutting down of business center equipment", "dimming interior lights in lobby and reception areas" and "encouraging guests to switch off their room lights"  during the "earth hour" last year.

(Fortunately business executives in need of hotel accomodation were able to use the facilities of other hotels, not participating in this annual greenie stupidity.)

Now the same Hilton hypocrites are again busy promoting another climate change scam.

Hilton Worldwide and Sundance Institute announced today the winners of the newly launched Hilton Worldwide LightStay Sustainability Award program, which includes $25,000 for one feature film and one in-process category winner. The prizes will be presented at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival next week.

In a press release Hilton eulogizes the winning (bogus) documentary:

The Island President (Feature): President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives is confronting a problem greater than any other world leader has ever faced -- the literal survival of his country and everyone in it. As one of the most low-lying countries in the world, a rise of in sea level would submerge the 1200 islands enough to make them uninhabitable. A classic David and Goliath tale, The Island President captures Nasheed's first year in office, culminating in his trip to the Copenhagen Climate Summit where the film provides an unprecedented glimpse of what takes place at such a top-level global assembly. A movie about one man's mission to save his nation, The Island President, is a riveting, uplifting story that is impossible to ignore

The reality is that Hilton´s "sustainability" efforts are just a way to look "progressive", cash in on the supposed "green" trend and at the same time reduce energy costs in their hotels.

And the selection of "The Island President" as the winning documentary is also a carefully thought out decision. As one of the biggest - if not the biggest - foreign hotel and holiday resort businesses in the Maldives - with three major resorts: Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Hilton Maldives/Iru Fushi Resort & Spa and Waldorf Astoria Maldives - Hilton is of course interested in receiving favourable treatment by the Maldives government.

Awarding the film that glorifies the publicity hungry climate crusadeer president of the tiny island state is, of course, one way of securing Hilton´s future business interests in the area.

One would not be surprised at all if President Mohamed Nasheed, who once organized a publicity stunt with an underwater government meeting, is already one of the regulars at the Conrad Maldives "unique Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, the world’s first all-glass undersea restaurant with spectacular 180° views of coral and marine life".

At least it would fit the real lifestyle of this darling of the "progressive" western media, who recently joined The Legacy Club for the super rich in Asia, which certainly has a lot of interesting activities to offer for its members:

The Legacy club "is, first and foremost, a lifestyle club. And like all lifestyle clubs, members enjoy a range of privileges that include investment opportunities, luxury hotel suite stays and wellness retreats, priority booking for private jets and once-in-a-lifetime experiences"

The Maldives government: "What's there to discuss about flogging women"?"

The U.N. human rights chief Navi Pillay has during a recent visit urged the Maldives to end the practice of flogging women found to have had sex outside marriage:

"This practice constitutes one of the most inhumane and degrading forms of violence against women, and should have no place in the legal framework of a democratic country"

"I strongly believe that a public debate is needed in Maldives on this issue of major concern"

President Mohamed Nasheed, the darling of the western liberal and leftist media - probably busy planning the luxurious new floating Royal Indian Ocean golf club or taking part in the activities of the exclusive Legacy club, of which he is a member -  delegated the flogging to his foreign minister:

The government of Maldives has rejected UN calls for debating the practice of flogging women guilty of committing adultery in the island nation.
"What's there to discuss about flogging?" Foreign Minister Ahmed Naseem told Haveeru newspaper.
"There is nothing to debate about in a matter clearly stated in the religion of Islam. No one can argue with God."

Under Maldives law, women found to have committed adultery are punished with 30 lashes.
There are no estimates of how many women are flogged in the Muslim nation, but the punishment is usually done in public.
The UN rights chief's call has sparked protests in the island nation, with some protestors calling for Pillary's arrest.
Protestors surrounded the UN Building, and demanded an apology from the UN and parliamentarians.
No Debate
The Maldives government said that it will not allow any debates about penalties against female adulterers.
"Our foreign ministry will not allow that to happen," said Nassem.

Read the entire article here

PS

A suggestion to Jon Shenk, who made Nasheed a hero in the documentary "The Island President": What about making a sequel, "The Island President II" about the president´s and his government´s policy of accepting flogging of women and the poor, exploitative conditions for migrant workers in the tiny island state?

If Nasheed does not want to discuss these subjects in public, maybe he is prepared to organise an underwater interview?

"The Island President" Nasheed - Après moi, le déluge?

Nasheed´s new club has a lot to offer: The Legacy club "is, first and foremost, a lifestyle club. And like all lifestyle clubs, members enjoy a range of privileges that include investment opportunities, luxury hotel suite stays and wellness retreats, priority booking for private jets and once-in-a-lifetime experiences"

Flashback September 2011:
President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives, the darling of the leftist "progressive" media,  was the hero in Jon Shenk´s documentary film "The Islands President", first shown at the Toronto Film Festival in September. According to the producers the film tells story of "a man confronting a problem greater than any other world leader has ever faced—the literal survival of his country and everyone in it".

In the film a journalist asks Nasheed : If the conference doesn’t achieve its goals and sea levels rise, what options are there for the Maldives?
Nasheed is leaning on his elbow, his face in his palm. He looks the journalist square in the eye and says: “None. We will all die.”


It now appears that Nasheed is deeply influenced by another wellknown statesman, King Louis XV of France, who uttered these unforgettable words:

“Après moi, le déluge” (“After me, the deluge")

If Nasheed still thinks that "we will all die", he has at least decided to go in style by joining the brand new Legacy club:

Legacy Club was officially launched last month with the Latin motto pharus aliis lucis, or "a beacon of light for others". It is a club focused on networking at the highest levels, but with some altruism thrown in.

We're at the Royale Chulan Hotel in Kuala Lumpur for the grand launch of Legacy and the usually mild-mannered Yim is in high spirits. He informs me that the club has gotten off to a good start, with successful personalities like Mohamad Nasheed, president of the Maldives; Tan Sri Francis Yeoh, managing director of YTL Corporation; Kevin Yeong, chairman of Unicef's Special Fundraising Committee; and Dr Keith Goh, neurosurgeon and chairman of the Make-A-Wish Foundation Singapore agreeing to sign up as members.
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"One of the reasons why we conceived Legacy Club was to create an opportunity for high net worth individuals to be in the same club as tycoons, billionaires, royalty, heads of state and individuals who have made an impact on society," he says, as well-dressed waiters circle around us, bearing flutes of champagne.
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While charity is an important focus, it doesn't take away the fact that Legacy is, first and foremost, a lifestyle club. And like all lifestyle clubs, members enjoy a range of privileges that include investment opportunities, luxury hotel suite stays and wellness retreats, priority booking for private jets and once-in-a-lifetime experiences (the next members-only event involves an insider's visit to a certain presidential palace hosted by a certain dignitary). A Legacy Constellation Quest Smartphone, worth RM32,000, will also be given to all members as a welcome gift.
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Yim is going all out to blow his guests away on that day. There will be flight and golf simulators, super cars, fashion shows and live entertainment. And, if all this isn't enough to tickle one's fancy, guests can always hop aboard any one of the small fleet of aircraft - yes, we're talking about private jets - for a joy ride around town.

Read the entire article here

PS

President Nasheed´s official website yesterday published this interesting piece of news:

The cabinet has today decided to set up a government entity to counteract the corruption allegations being charged against the government, by some members of the parliament, political parties, and individuals.

The "sinking" Maldives saved by a Dutch construction company

                       Dutch built floating islands - future for the Maldives?

The president of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed has for years now been one of the "stars" of the "progressive" global climate change establishment. But, now it appears that he does not need to do any more underwater cabinet meeting stunts: In case Nasheed´s tiny island state actually would begin to disappear - which, of course, is highly unlikely according to those scientists who have real knowledge about the situation - the country can continue its existense on floating islands to be constructed by a Dutch company!

The Maldives government and the Dutch Docklands company have already signed an agreement to build the first floating islands, which among other things will include a floating golf course:

"We told the president of the Maldives we can transform you from climate refugees to climate innovators," said Paul van de Camp, chief executive officer of floating architecture specialists Dutch Docklands, developer of the project, CNN reports.

The $500 million project will offer a course with 27 holes situated on three interlinked islands. The development also includes villas and a conservation center.

(The Maldive islands government says it will not have to pay any of the costs. One would not be surprised if  the Dutch construction company and the Maldive government  already have secured major EU climate change funding for the project).

Read the entire article here


The CEO of  Dutch Docklands, Paul van de Camp said in an interview that this mega project will "diversify the Maldivian fame in the outside world", so the publicity seeking Nasheed should be pleased. Now, there should not be any need for him to continue his hoax about the rising sea levels as a consequence of  human induced climate change. Instead, cabinet meetings on the floating golf island could make great photo opportunities for the international media!

Neither will there be any need for the  new "Hollywood style" documentary ,"The Island President",  which was announced in a presidential press release on April 24:

 A Hollywood-style documentary feature film about the Maldives and climate change will be premiered at an international film festival later this year.
‘The Island President’ is a fly-on-the-wall, 90-minute documentary film, which highlights the Maldives’ efforts to combat climate change and rising sea levels

The film has been made by Actual Films, an Oscar and Emmy-winning American documentary film company, based in San Francisco.

As could be expected, the producers of the film give Nasheed the full Hollywood super hero "treatment" in the documentary (but this will be of no use anymore, thanks to the Dutch!)

The productions costs of the film were 1,5 million USD, according to the same press release:

The film was paid for in its entirety through grants from the Ford Foundation, the American Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the MacArthur Foundation, the Atlantic Foundation, the Sundance Institute, and small donations from American well wishers.

PS
It is interesting to note that there still seems to be some loose money around in the US for this kind of dubious projects