Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih says he is hearing the same complaint across every island he visits, that the current administration is failing to deliver and is only “talking empty”.
Speaking at the conclusion of his visit to Th. Hirilandhoo, Solih said the concerns raised by residents there mirror those he has heard throughout his recent travels.
“People keep saying nothing is being done. Just talking about it, talking about it,” he said.
Solih, who governed for the past five years, claimed that the current administration has not achieved progress in the past two years. Instead, he said President Dr Mohamed Muizzu is travelling to islands “making empty statements” while projects initiated during the previous administration remain unfinished.
He highlighted the construction of a classroom block, multipurpose hall and administrative section in Hirilandhoo, a project launched during his tenure, noting that it still remains incomplete. This is despite the President’s assurance that the work would be finished by the end of next month, a timeline Solih said does not appear realistic.
He also criticised delays in dredging and revetment works, which he said were already about 90 percent complete under the MDP government.
ތ.ހިރިލަންދޫ ކައުންސިލްގެ ފަރާތުން ތަރައްގީ ކުރި ” ހިރިވެލި ބީޗް “ ހުޅުވުމުގެ ރަސްމިއްޔާތުގައި ރައީސް އިބްރާހީމް މުހައްމަދު ސޯލިހު ދެއްކެވި ވާހަކަފުޅު. pic.twitter.com/SHfTroOfUw
— Arusham Abdulla (@ArushamAbdhulla) December 22, 2025
According to Solih, residents are increasingly disappointed by these stalled projects and the overall direction of the government.
“A former PPM leader who met me on the island said this government is not going in any direction they wanted,” Solih said, adding that people were also unhappy with recent constitutional amendments.
Solih, who has expressed interest in contesting the next presidential election, visited Hirilandhoo at the invitation of the island council. During the trip, he said that he plans to meet former President Mohamed Nasheed this week to discuss working together.
The MDP is already facing internal division ahead of the presidential primary. Alongside Solih, former party chairman Fayyaz Ismail has also announced interest in seeking the presidential ticket. Members have raised concerns about the lack of political activity and growing competition within the party.