Youth need free speech more than govt jobs: Shahid
Shahid also raised concern about the closure of trade routes in the atolls.
MDP President Abdullah Shahid said Tuesday that young people need freedom of expression and freedom of speech more than jobs.
He made the remarks at a rally in HDh. Kuludhufushi as the party launched its manifesto for the council elections. The second pillar of the manifesto, titled ‘Way for Business’, was launched in Kuludhufushi and Malé.
Shahid said the first person he met in the island told him that many people had not come forward to meet him due to fear of losing their jobs. He added that some were unable to go to the port to welcome party members after being warned about their employment.
He alleged that the government’s intention is to provide state employment in a way that limits independence.
“What have you done? What you have done is a rope around your neck. That is what the MDP opposes. This is what the dictatorial government of President Mohamed Muizzu is doing. The people are humiliated and crushed. When these people do not get the opportunity to express their feelings with courage, they are slowly crushed from within,” Shahid said.
Shahid also raised concern about the closure of trade routes in the atolls.
He said that under an MDP administration, councils were given the opportunity to support business activity in the islands by enabling local entrepreneurs to create employment.
He accused the current administration of limiting work to state-owned companies and said this had reduced private sector activity in the atolls.
Shahid said the party would contest the council elections with the aim of defeating the government.
