Yameen: PNF govt next; will recover 'sold' assets
He alleged that administrations led by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) had followed this approach.
Former President Abdulla Yameen has said a future government led by the People's National Front (PNF) would investigate the sale of state assets and take legal action against those responsible.
Speaking at a PNF rally on Thursday night, Yameen said governments in the Maldives had repeatedly sold state assets developed by previous administrations.
He alleged that administrations led by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) had followed this approach.
Referring to the lease of the country's main international airport to India's GMR Group during the administration of former President Mohamed Nasheed, Yameen said the airport was a profitable state asset and should not have been leased.
He also criticised the sale of shares in Dhiraagu to Cable & Wireless, arguing that it placed part of the country's telecommunications sector under foreign ownership.
Yameen further accused the administration of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih of giving away maritime territory in connection with the Chagos Archipelago maritime boundary dispute.
Turning to the current administration, Yameen claimed there had been attempts to sell the country's commercial port, although he did not provide evidence for the allegation.
He said that if the port were transferred to foreign operators, it could affect the cost of imported goods.
Yameen said a future PNF administration would investigate any sale of state assets.
"The next government will be a PNF government. We are giving advance warning to those who intend to do this: we will investigate the cases of everyone who sells these assets. They will not get away with it," he said.
He also said that any state assets sold in the future would be recovered without compensation from the Maldivian government, adding that any claims for compensation should be directed at those responsible for the sale.
Concluding his remarks, Yameen rejected claims that he would be unable to contest a future presidential election, saying he expected to be able to stand as a candidate.
