Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef has publicly lauded President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, describing him as a "fearless political leader" who has successfully implemented critical policies that previous administrations had not “dared” to take.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with PSM News on the eve of the second year anniversary of this administration, the Vice President defended the government’s vigorous policy agenda, noting that while criticism from the opposition is customary regardless of the decision’s merit, President Dr Muizzu has focused on executing strong, widely accepted policies that prioritise public well-being.
The Vice President emphasised that the most defining feature of the current administration is its readiness to tackle sensitive issues concerning national mental health and physical safety. He highlighted two major steps as fundamentally unprecedented.
"Banning vaping and conducting major drug operations are unprecedented. These are decisions that previous presidents did not dare to make," he said.
He further elaborated that the government’s approach to the drug epidemic is comprehensive, balancing strict enforcement with social rehabilitation. The administration has worked to empower enforcement agencies with necessary legal authority while simultaneously strengthening rehabilitation systems to ensure individuals can be successfully reintegrated into society.
The Vice President asserted that characteristics of good governance are evident in the government’s work, which extends beyond security and health into facilitating basic rights and access to services. He pointed to recent immediate steps taken to relieve the financial burden on residents, particularly during the forthcoming holy month of Ramadan.
The government has continued to take strong steps to ease the financial burden on the people, such as capping the electricity bill for the month of Ramadan for residential households, providing essential food items as Ramadan gifts, and ensuring basic commodities are sold at significantly cheaper prices through government initiatives.
These moves, he said, demonstrate the administration’s commitment to the mental and financial health of the people.
The Vice President also credited President Dr Muizzu’s "wise decisions and far-sighted policies" for successfully steering the Maldives out of a severe financial crisis inherited from the previous administration.
He elaborated that the current administration had to put in extensive efforts immediately to stabilise the economy and redirect the nation's financial trajectory toward sustainable development.
The Vice President asserted that much of this necessary heavy lifting was a direct consequence of the actions of the former Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) government regarding economic and financial management. He specifically criticised the previous administration’s policy of unrestricted money printing, which he said caused major damage to the country's finances.
In addition to inheriting fiscal setbacks, the Vice President highlighted the significant political challenges posed by the then MDP’s super-majority in the parliament during the government’s initial phase. He accused the opposition-dominated legislature of actively attempting to obstruct the new government's agenda.
The Vice President claimed that when the administration presented its first budget, the budget committee—chaired by an MDP member—passed the financial plan irresponsibly, with intentions only to stymie the new government.
"How did we do it when we had the [Parliament] super majority in 2018? We passed the state budget as the MDP government wanted," the Vice President pointed out, drawing a contrast with the challenging legislative environment they faced.
Despite the initial fiscal turbulence and legislative obstruction, VP Lateef stressed that the government worked diligently in its first year to revive the economy and put the country back on a functional path. He affirmed that two years into the term, development projects have continued uninterrupted, the financial situation has improved, and economic prosperity is increasing—achievements he unequivocally linked to President Dr Muizzu’s leadership.
The Vice President praised the President’s systematic approach, confirming that he worked in a very good order to ensure the security of the people and the basic rights of the people." Additionally, he noted the President’s successful establishment of close relations with countries to negotiate relaxed repayment terms on bilateral loans.
The Vice President concluded by noting the rapid implementation of current development projects and revenue-generating measures. He also emphasised President Dr Muizzu's hands-on approach, highlighting the ongoing commitment to visit all inhabited islands to personally assess the needs and concerns of the people throughout the country.