President of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and former president of Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, has said that Maldives need not take part in another country’s Silk Route.
Speaking at an event held last night at the Alimas Carnival area, Nasheed criticized President Yameen’s decision to support Maldives joining the maritime silk route announced by the Chinese government. He said that Maldives is our country, and it should be Maldivians who settle here.
“Travelers and businessmen come to Maldives all the time; there is no need for a route belonging to somebody else to be here. This is Maldivians’ country, where Maldivians live. We have been here for a long time. We function on the Indian Ocean. The Chinese, Americans and even Indians can come and station here. We do not need to join some other group’s route,” Nasheed explained.
Nasheed also said that we should maintain our independence and it was the duty of the current president to maintain harmony. He appealed to change the decision to join the Chinese maritime route.
“President Abdulla Yameen, it is not superior thinking, I request you to change your mind,” Nasheed said.
Furthermore, Nasheed said that a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is not feasible for Maldives, and this has been apparent with SEZ in other countries across the world.
“It is clear that SEZ is not suitable for Maldives since such zones were created. SEZ is an outdated economic concept,” said Nasheed.
Criticizing governmental policies, Nasheed in his speech said that the government’s promise to provide MVR 10,000 to fishermen regardless of the catch, has also not been met. He repeatedly stressed that MDP would come to power once more.