HARGEISA, 16 March 2010 (Somalilandpress) – After reading a hastily written “article” entitled, “Somaliland: Dream job turns into a nightmare” published on the so-called The Star Online, few unanswered questions linger. If Somaliland is as lawless as the article portrayed it, why thousands of foreign workers are there? Did the author of the article in question fail to distinguish Somaliland from Somalia?
Yes indeed. The Star Online article states, “The lure of a high-paying job took telecommunications consultant Hor Chee Fei to Somalia, one of the world’s most dangerous places.” Is that so?
Perhaps, the telecom consultant encountered the same scams that people come across in China, U.S., Europe and elsewhere. And Somaliland is not immune to scams.
But few things don’t add up: why the telecom consultant failed to name the CEO or the telecom firm that allegedly chased the worker all the way to Hargeisa’s airport runway? Nor did he provide the contacts of the firm. Something smells rotten.
The worker not only failed to provide the names of the people who have turned his dream job into a nightmare, but he also failed to go to the nearest police station and report the alleged crime.
The Star Online article states, “Hor and five other Malaysians managed to avoid detection by blending in with a crowd of Chinese tourists.”
Well the question is: if there are foreign tourists in Somaliland, then it could not be a lawless country.
Also, what the worker perhaps is not telling you is: that his team members either disputed the contract or they could not deliver the services they promised. Now because things didn’t go as rosy as planned, labeling Somaliland as a lawless land is one way of avenging for their misfortune. Every story has two versions, doesn’t it?
[ad#Google Adsense (336×280)]
The least the telecom consultant could have done was contact the hundreds of other Malaysians workers in Hargiesa and seek help. In fact, other firms such as, Chinese construction companies have signed contracts with Somaliland government to rebuild Hargeisa’s airport and roads, and currently there hundreds of Chinese as well as Malaysians working in Somaliland. Some even have opened dentist clinics. Read more:
http://www.qarannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7527&Itemid=59
More important, why the airport security forces remained oblivious of the telecom worker chased around by the telecom firm’s owner inside the airport? Is this logical at all? Hargeisa’s airport has one of the most secured systems I have ever come across. The authority is so paranoid that nothing evades its eyes. Yet the telecom worker claims some gangs chased him inside the runway.
Unprofessional articles written by news outlets which break the ethics of good journalism are unfortunately what many people who seek jobs in Somaliland read. It is these articles that would reshape their perception towards Somaliland and influence their decisions to take their skills to there.
If there is no such system in place already, upon their arrivals all foreign nationals should receive the contacts of the security forces, immigration, human rights groups, and Foreign Minister of Somaliland, as well as U.N. agencies. Additionally, it is the government’s responsibility to monitor the well-being of International workers and take all the appropriate actions to protect them.
Dalmar Kaahin
dalmar_k@yahoo.com
__________________________________________________________________________
Views expressed in the opinion articles are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the editorial
I want to congratulate Dalmar for his effort, here, to put things straight, and bring this story into a forum where readers can comment on it. I read it on Hiiraan.com and I noticed that the readers can not repond to this particular story; no comment board was avialable there, and the email given wouldn't go through. Then I came to the conclusion that this story has a zero reliablity and that breaks every rule in journalism. Shame on the publishers.
The other thing I noticed about the story was its content. Not only did the writer made Somaliland sound more notorious than Siccilly, but that the writer must has no experience what so ever in writing articles. It was the messiest peice of writing I have ever read.
I can't believe these websites got so desperate to publish any garbage.
Salma with due respect there is no need to defend these guys. I am Somalilander as much as you if not more but in this case few business men in our country have made mistakes and they need to come clean.
Also the reason you blindly support Somaliland in this case shows your lack of knowledge about the issue, there is no need to name the company or "Mr CEO" but those that know know and this issue should be left alone for legal and moral reasons that includes refrining from naming them.
Somalilanders have to defend rights always.
Somalia is dead there is no need to discuss about that but when we blindly support these men for their abuses we supporting a Somaliland thats like Somalia.
Somaliland is not a single CEO and his company. When foreigners run around the world and accuse a nation of millions, you, as a citizen got the right to defend the integrity of the rest.
I do support Somaliland with my all, and if that is "blindly" in your dictionary, be it. But I am not going to sit here and see others accusing my family, friends, neighbours, and follow innocent citizens for something that allegedly has been done by unknown individuals.
On the other hand, we have a traditional system of sorting such accusations out, and unlike the Western laws that mostly protect the criminals, we hang up the culprits to dry, and that way no sane person do the same again.
Any non Somalilander in Somaliland has a full protection from the government there. Somalilander are also obliged to protect those less volnurable. But when foreingers go back home and show ungratefulness and start spreading lies, it is our obligation to defend our nation and where necessary file a lawsuit against them.
Nothing in my post here, and the ones beore indicate I support my country blindlessly, but that I stand up to what is right and show no favouritism in any side, or change my mind in agreement with weak arguments.
Although, it is good to read what your enemies are saying about you, I personally don't look at their websites or even want to spit on it.
For one, they are medicros and don't perfect anything except mafia activities. Second, they try hard to discredite, sabotage, and undermine Somaliland's efforts and progress out of envy and hate. So, don't give a heed to what Somaliland haters say or do. Waa habar baa iska haw haw leeh helada inoo tuma!
Dalmar,
I got to honestly tell you that while I commend you for defending Somaliland, that what happened to this man sounds not only reasonable but plausible. From my personal experience with the said CEO, it's possible he could've reacted to the immense pressure he was under during the launch of a new network by blaming his consultants because he's a total duche when under pressure.
Other than that, let's be honest; it's hard for someone from another country who doesn't speak the language to deal with the local authorities. Once removed from the comfort zone provided by the company who contracted him to work here he's essentially left alone. I'm 100% Somalilander and still have a hard time talking my way out of the police's hands whenever they think I 'look suspicious' so I can imagine how difficult it was for him to escape the grasp of his indeed VERY POWERFUL employers.
What I mean to say is that this experience should not be the indicator of what happens in Somaliland, and also, that as Somalilanders we should not be so quick to condemn someone for negatively portraying Somaliland by sharing their own personal experience.
Mr. Dalmar kahin, the author did mention hargeisa and flew from Berbera. You don't suggest he came all the way from Mogadishu, i assume! or you know many on this forum are so severely blinded by Somaliandism, they have no eyes left for your lies? Whatever the case, International lawyers, doctors, NGO’s, and many entities operate in Mogadishu without any harm. You tell us what happen to the PEACEFUL AND DEMOCRATIC SOMALILAND? I also see denial in Gobaad and Salma. Well, this is the blindness you are exploiting Mr. Dalmar, and the dishonesty whenever someone rightly speaks of the clan enclave, Somaliland. We all know what happened to the Somalis from south when one of your own blew up Ethiopian embassy there. What makes you think a MALAYSIAN has a chance? The police and government are both corrupted, if you have any sanity left of you, think of improving, instead in denial.
I believe the Malaysians were abused by "MR CEO" however it's also true because of their fustrations and angers they have also exergrated the case and in the process attacked a whole nation by calling it lawless bla bla. He wouldnt go there at the first place if he didnt know Somaliland isnt Somalia. But he wants to draw that to seek sympathy from the Malaysian public by misleading them.
Nevertheless as Somalilanders we should not defend MR CEO and his company instead we should offer support to the Malaysians because as Somalilanders we always have to do what's right and be on the just side.
We demand Mr CEO to contact the Malaysians, appologize for the misunderstanding, mishandling of the situation and pay them in full for their work.
Otherwise thanks to you no foreign skilled worker will ever visit Somaliland.
I don't think Dalmar defended the CEO at all. Instead Dalmar stated, "Perhaps, the telecom consultant encountered the same scams that people come across in China, U.S., Europe and elsewhere. And Somaliland is not immune to scams."
What he is corned about is the unprofessional piece written some never-heard before news group which states: that Somaliland is one of the worst places and it is lawless.
And from what I understand Dalmar in fact is promoting protecting International employees and promoting professional journalism.
Reer Koonfur: Hargaysa or Berbera, still the idea that the worker chased in the runway doesn't make sense.
As Keyse said because of the experience of one worker in the hands of maybe a greedy CEO the whole nations is condemned and said it is lawless. That is what Dalmar is addressing.
More people are screwed up in Malaysia than in Somaliland.
I don't think Dalmar defended the CEO at all. Instead Dalmar stated, "Perhaps, the telecom consultant encountered the same scams that people come across in China, U.S., Europe and elsewhere. And Somaliland is not immune to scams."
What he is corned about is the unprofessional piece written some never-heard before news group which states: that Somaliland is one of the worst places and it is lawless.
And from what I understand Dalmar in fact is promoting protecting International employees and promoting professional journalism.
Reer Koonfur: Hargaysa or Berbera, still the idea that the worker chased in the runway doesn't make sense.
As Keyse said because of the experience of one worker in the hands of maybe a greedy CEO the whole nations is condemned and said it is lawless. That is what Dalmar is addressing.
More people are screwed up in Malaysia than in Somaliland.
At reer koonfur,
Your argument is weak and as always triggered by hatred. No one is in denial here. We are all urging for the truth to be revealed about this claim and accusations. No one is arguing that Somaliland is more peaceful than Somalia, because that is as clear as a crystal. A simpler clue; has anyone ever mentioned tourists in Mogadishu? Hmmm!!!
Kayse,
You said that you demand for the CEO to contact the Malaysians and apologise to them. Well, who is or are the CEOs and all those who, allegedly, chased the Malaysians to the runway?
If a problem is identified, a source must be also identified to solve the problem, but how can you say there is a problem when what prompted the problem is unattainable?
Somaliland is not where they whip elders in public for alleged adultery or stone journalists and interpreters for working with international NGOs and UN agencies.
The truth is always attainable. And if this story deemed to be true, the culprits should be named and shamed. Wait, actually they should be brought to justice. But before that, I am not condemning ghosts.
I totally agree with Salma.
Our entire nations should not be on trial because the alleged crime.
There are far more crimes committed in Malaysia than in Somaliland, yet you don’t see any dragging Malaysia in the mud.
As Dalmar said this could be the typical scams. But why the Start Online article trashed Somaliland or why failed to mention the name of the CEO.
Some say bec ause there is legal issues so the CEO could not be named. Well the Star Online said Somaliland is lawless so how could you have legal system there.
You see the Star Online contradicted itself so bad, you wonder what kind of news group is it.