PNC MPs reject Yameen’s ‘silent revolution’ claim, back president

Several ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) MPs on Friday rejected former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s claim that a “silent revolution” was taking place among pro-government lawmakers, saying the parliamentary group remains behind President Mohamed Muizzu.

Yameen made the claim at a People’s National Front (PNF) rally on Thursday night, saying some MPs involved in businesses dependent on foreign currency were dissatisfied with the government’s foreign exchange policies.

“I know the difficulties that came with these dollar surrender rules. In Parliament, there are members who source dollars from the black market for business, and there are members who earn dollars operating safaris,” Yameen said.

“They are by no means solidly standing with Muizzu; they are very angry. A very silent revolution is happening there now. God willing, we will watch as this situation changes quite easily.”

Yameen did not identify the MPs he was referring to.

PNC Parliamentary Group Leader and Inguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falah rejected the claim in a post on X, saying members of the 20th Parliament remained behind Muizzu.

“While you talk about the 20th Parliament falling apart, the term is already coming to an end,” Falah said.

Baarah MP Ibrahim Shujau also denied that there was discontent within the PNC parliamentary group.

“Nothing like what you describe is happening inside Parliament,” Shujau said.

He instead accused Yameen of having a “secret alliance” with former President Mohamed Nasheed and claimed this was causing concern among members of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

“Why hope for a change in circumstances? No need to feel bad, we are standing strong with President Muizzu. Very strong indeed,” Shujau said.

Funadhoo MP Mohamed Mamdooh also said the PNC parliamentary group, including its leadership and members, remained behind the President.

Mamdooh described Yameen’s remarks as political rhetoric and said Muizzu was addressing structural issues that previous administrations had avoided because of the potential political consequences.

The exchanges follow the government’s decision to increase the foreign currency conversion requirement for resorts to 40 per cent of monthly foreign currency revenue.

Yameen has opposed the policy and argued that it would place pressure on businesses that require dollars for their operations.

The government maintains that the measure will increase the amount of foreign currency entering the banking system and improve access to dollars.