Yameen says govt has failed to match words with action
Yameen said governments were elected to address the needs of the public and that this should remain their central purpose.
Former President Abdulla Yameen has accused President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s administration of failing to deliver on commitments made to the public, saying people would be more patient if they believed the government genuinely intended to fulfil its promises.
Speaking at a Progressive National Front (PNF) rally titled “Green Signal” at Artificial Beach on Thursday night, Yameen said several commitments made by Muizzu had yet to be completed.
Yameen said governments were elected to address the needs of the public and that this should remain their central purpose.
“Today, what people are hearing and what they are seeing do not match,” Yameen said. “We are talking about Aasandha running out. We are talking about different kinds of burdens being placed on young people by the government.”
He also alleged that employment opportunities were being given disproportionately to people affiliated with the ruling party and members of the President’s family.
“That is not justice,” Yameen said. “Jobs should not be given based on personal connections or the colour of a political party.”
Yameen also criticised what he described as the concentration of state power, arguing that the constitutional principle of separation of powers was being weakened.
“All powers have effectively been brought into one hand, and the characteristics of authoritarian rule have emerged,” he said.
He further alleged that independent institutions were no longer operating in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution, singling out the Elections Commission.
“The spirit of the Constitution is that the Elections Commission should be an independent institution free from political influence,” Yameen said. “That responsibility is established by the Constitution. But today, the head of that institution is someone appointed by the President.”
Yameen said the Maldives needed projects across different sectors to improve its economic outlook and create opportunities for Maldivians.
“We need to make it easier for Maldivians, for Maldivian businesses and for Maldivian enterprises,” he said. “At the same time, we need to bring foreign investors to the Maldives. We need to improve our credit rating. We need to make the Maldives a place that gives foreign investors positive signals — green signals.”
He argued that such progress could not be achieved without respect for the law.
“How can we do this if we are not people who respect the law?” Yameen said. “We are governing by marginalising, taking over and suspending whatever becomes difficult under the law.”
Yameen said meaningful economic progress would remain difficult unless the legal and institutional framework supported investment and development.
