Yameen says media law intended to silence graft criticism

Former President Abdulla Yameen on Thursday said the newly ratified Media Regulation Act was intended to silence those who speak about theft and corruption within government.

Speaking at a rally of the People’s National Front (PNF), Yameen said the Act focuses on protecting reputations rather than addressing allegations of misconduct.

“The whole bill relies on people’s reputation. President Muizzu says protecting reputation is something that comes from Allah. But what I speak about here is theft and corruption, not defamation,” he said.

Yameen said he respected the principle of protecting reputations but argued that it should not prevent questions being raised about the financial dealings of politicians. He referred to Parliamentary Majority Leader Ibrahim Falaah, alleging that Falaah’s financial statement showed an annual income of about MVR 1 million, while he had purchased land worth MVR 28 million.

“If it was bought with money from a valid transaction, why not disclose it? Why not tell the people?” Yameen asked.

He said the new law amounted to restricting speech about such issues. “This is not defamation. It is questioning matters of concern. If senior officials commit theft or corruption, people should be able to talk about it,” Yameen said.

The Media Regulation Act was ratified by President Mohamed Muizzu on Thursday, dissolving the Maldives Media Council and the Broadcasting Commission and establishing the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (MMBC) to oversee media regulation.