MDA says shied from 2018 Yameen alliance over graft allegations

Maldives Development Alliance (MDA), which formed an alliance with former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom in 2013, has revealed that it did not form a second coalition with then President Yameen in the last presidential election due to a massive fraud committed through MMPRC during his tenure.

MDA, founded by Meedhoo MP Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, who formed an alliance with Yameen in the 2013 presidential election, did not support any candidate in the 2018 presidential election. Although the MDA was the only party in the coalition until the end of Yameen's five-year rule, during the 2018 elections, the party also stepped away from Yameen.

After Yameen's invitation to form an alliance with PPM again for the September 9 presidential election, the MDA on Friday decided to support the ruling party's presidential candidate, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, and form an alliance with him.

Replying to a question from Atoll Times at a press conference held at Champa Central Hotel on Friday to announce the decision to form an alliance with MDP, the MDA revealed for the first time why it did not form an alliance with Yameen in 2018.

Before opening up to questions from reporters, MDA deputy leader Ali Mauroof said one of the reasons they decided to support President Solih was because the MDA believed that every president should get a second term. "The five-year term is very short and I am of the view that a president should be given a second term for the sake of stability in the country by completing the projects that have already been started," he said.

"No president in the history of democracy or party system in the country has got a second term. The MDA president [Siyam] believes that it is important to give a second term to the president," said Mauroof, who was an MP from Kendhikulhudhoo constituency in the last session of parliament.

When asked why the MDA did not form an alliance with Yameen for a second term, Mauroof said the main reason for the decision at that time was due to the MMPRC scam and many unacceptable events that took place during the government.

"In the coalition government [the MDA] was suffering a lot at that time. In the national interest, we maintained the coalition government with President Yameen. There were so many things that we didn't want to do [in that government]," Said Mauroof.

"We don't believe that money can disappaer from the country’s treasury. I don't think billions of dollars will be lost like that. That's one of the main reasons why we don't go with PPM for a second term."

As a second point, Mauroof pointed out that PPM did not adhere to the coalition agreement with the MDA.

"Out of the 20% [of government posts] in that agreement, we didnt get even 10%. However, our party president is very patient. Our party president is building an alliance not for the benefits that the government will get, not for benefits, not for posts that will be given ministerial berths. A coalition formed for the country and its people," said Mauroof.

He also said that the MDA was not satisfied with the foreign policies adopted by Yameen's administration. The party leadership and Yameen have also taken a number of decisions that the MDA does not like on foreign affairs, said Maurouf.

"It's a lot of things like leaving the Commonwealth and severing ties with Qatar. This is not a principle that our party believes in. However, all this weighed down," he said.

All of this was tolerated because, according to Mauroof, the only part of the ruling coalition at the time was the MDA and the government was in a "very fragile position".

"That's why we fought every crisis [and] we bore every hurdle, every hardship and every loss for the sake of the people of the country, we will not hesitate to back the government," he said.

To a question as to why the MDA did not say anything at the time when so much money was lost from the state treasury in the MMPRC scam, Mauroof said, "We said it in a very open manner at that time even." He added that the party had not fallen prey to the scam money.

"I was very close to President Yameen as was Siyam. But we don't have any MMPRC funds deposited into our accounts," he said.

"If a philosophy that we believe in today governs properly, give it a second term. If we get a good and peaceful government for the people, we will go with that person for a second term."

Although Mauroof said Siyam was not involved in the massive scam during the previous government, Siyam-based Sun Construction company and Sun Investment were sued for laundering USD 1.1 million that Yameen received as kickbacks by leasing out R. Fuggiri through MMPRC. The money was laundered using the two Siyam-based companies, the state alleged.

While the trial court is currently hearing the case, both the companies have denied this.