President Yameen speaks at PPM ceremony.
Opposition political leaders looking to free convicted Former President Mohamed Nasheed, so that he can run in the Presidential Elections 2018, should do so individually, declared President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom on Thursday.
Speaking at a ceremony held at State Electric Company (STELCO) to sign on 500 members to ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), President Yameen criticised the opposition coalition, saying that they are working for their own interests and not for the people.
He stated that the solution to individual issues that the opposition are seeking may be gained only by changing the Constitution. President Yameen declared that, in order for the opposition to obtain what they want, the Constitution itself has to be altered such that certain people are not punished for crimes, or that crimes are not considered crimes if committed by certain people. Until then, releasing Former President Nasheed, who is sentenced to 13 years on terrorism charges, to run in the elections is impossible, the president said.
“If you want to free President Nasheed, then send me your signed letters individually,” he said, referring to the leaders of the opposition by name including Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Adhaalath Party leader Imran Abdulla, Jumhoory Party leader Qasim Ibrahim and Former President Nasheed himself.
“[Write in your letters] that each of us wants to free President Nasheed and to make changes to the Constitution that will allow [his freedom]. Then I’ll submit it to my PG leader and proceed to see how much support it gets in the parliament. This is also a path you can take; go right ahead. But other than that, we see nothing but [the opposition] disgracing the Maldives.”
Summary of President Yameen’s speech
Political leaders have joined together against the government not for reform as they claim but to protect their own interests. Removing a person from position (referring to the motion of no confidence recently sought against the parliament speaker by the opposition) is not considered reform.
The government is still open to all-party talks and receive suggestions from political parties on what to improve for national development. However, people convicted of terrorism will not be admitted to talks (referring to the opposition’s demands to allow Former President Nasheed and Adhaalath Party leader Imran, both convicted of terrorism, to join the talks).
The president has no personal quarrel with any political leaders. Those who are arrested or facing charges are doing so upon committing criminal offences.
If the opposition accuses the government of corruption, they must be able to specify where the corruption lies. None of the previous governments had dared to probe corruption cases highlighted in Audit Reports, whereas the current administration submits all of them to the Anti-Corruption Commission.
There is little point in appointing people of the opposition ideology to local councils, since city councils controlled by the opposition have done nothing so far for the people.
Electing PPM candidates to councils will make it easier for the government to bring about national development.