Yameen in 30-minute speech slams FM after residence dig
"Dhonbandaarain will be very proud of him, because his blood runs in him," Yameen said sarcastically.
By
Aminath Shifleen
Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom on Friday lashed out at foreign minister Abdulla Shahid, saying that the Maldives is currently engaged in a "hustler" foreign policy that sells all the rights of the people.
At a rally held by the opposition PPM/PNC at artificial beach after some inactive time, Yameen's criticism was directed primarily at Shahid and India, which the current government has close ties with. All of what Yameen said for about 30 minutes, which is shorter than the duration he usually spoke for, was directly or indirectly linked to Shahid and India.
Speaking at the event titled 'Felaalaifi, Yameen described the state as having a "hustler" foreign policy as it did not even grant the power to open one's eyes by oneself.
"Why it is a hustle is because there is no life or power within the being and its flesh is manipulated as per another’s order," Yameen said.
Yameen compared several incidents to show Shahid's incompetence as foreign minister and his lack of attention to the people. Here are some of his highlights:
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Shahid spoke on Indian channel NDTV against Maldives for taking over the country's main airport from India's GMR company
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Shahid, who attended the meeting with top political and aviation leaders of India, said the Indian Army should wear civilian clothes at the airport
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Shahid expressed concern over the fact that the Indian Army had not shown up on the Supreme Court's order
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He said the Maldivian security forces were not capable of curbing drug smuggling and terrorism in the Maldives and needed India's help in this regard.
"But he says that he [Shahid] came from the blood line of Dhonbandaarain... Dhonbandaarain will be very proud of him, because his blood runs in him," Yameen said sarcastically.
He said the country should not give up its sovereignty and autonomy in return for something else. He also called Shahid to step down from his post.
Yameen described Shahid as a human being "parched" to bring back the Indian army to the Maldives from 2014 to 2018. He described the country's foreign policy as a beggar holding his tin always making a beeline towards North.
In addition, Yameen pointed out how nobody was talking about the loan he had borrowed from China.
"Shahid and his people can't talk about the Chinese government's debt, about the bridge built by President Yameen, the Dharumavantha Hospital," Yameen said.
"First put a little model next to it; show some action. Then talk.”
Yameen, talking about Dharumavantha Hospital, said that former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's mothers had also been in that "cave".
"How can we know if Shahid will not be there next?" Yameen said.
Yameen's comments came a day after Shahid had accused Yameen and his aides of theft and fraud.
"No need to name meetings ‘wrung’ and ‘skinned’ [referring to the event title “Felaalaifi”]. The people of Maldives know who wrung and skinned them. They are the same people that has been skinning since 2013," shahid said, referring to Yameen's government.
Speaking at a public meeting held on Thursday night to kick-start President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's campaign for MDP’s presidential primary, Shahid alleged that Yameen's 14-storey house was built with state funds.
"Where did the money go in the past? Where was the money given for children's education spent earlier?" he asked, pointing out that the government had started offering free degree course. "Theres the house erected in Henveiru. Thats where it went".
Shahid, on Thursday night criticised Yameen and his administration by linking some of the major events that took place during his tenure. He said he did not want a "government that would hijack parliament and throw members over the wall". He also said that he did not want a "government that removes the roof of the Supreme Court and takes the judges there to prison cells".
