Nasir, Ibrahim

▪ 2009

      Maldivian politician

born Sept. 2, 1926, Male, British Maldives

died Nov. 22, 2008, Singapore

dominated life in the Indian Ocean archipelago of some 1,200 islands for more than 20 years. In 1957 Nasir was named prime minister under the British protectorate's ruling sultan, and in 1965 when Maldives gained independence from Britain—under an agreement that Nasir negotiated—he remained prime minister of the new country. Three years later he engineered a referendum in which the sultanate was abolished and replaced with a republic, of which he became the first president. Under Nasir's control, Maldives was transformed into a modern country, with improved education and telecommunications, an international airport, a modernized fishing industry, and a reputation as a luxury tourism destination. Nasir's dictatorial style angered many, however, and in 1978 he formally refused a third term in office and fled the country amid public unrest and unproven allegations of corruption.

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