Sacked STO chief says had no choice as reform attempts failed
Amr said the people have lost faith in the party and there is a high chance that the party will lose the upcoming elections as well.
By
Mariyam Umna Ismail
Hussain Amr, who was recently sacked from the post of managing director of STO, said on Tuesday that he had to make the choice against the government because his repeated attempts to right the wrong had proven to be futile.
In the primary held in January, Amr stood with MDP President Mohamed Nasheed, who contested against President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
Amr, who belongs to the Nasheed faction in MDP, was sacked last month.
Amr issued a statement on Tuesday night explaining the reason behind his backing away from the government. His statement began from when he joined MDP and started his political career.
He said:
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In 2018, STO was given charge to implement the party's policies
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He has never been confused about the party's policies, neither then nor now; there was no policy he denied or refused
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However, for the last four years, the government has acted against MDP policies and without any specific policy and objective
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He said the increase in taxes levied on people and tourists and the reduction in the purchase price of fish caused irreparable damage, which was the result of the government's expenses being too high and projects not being even monitored
Amr said that in the four years of the incumbent government, suggestions have been made in meetings and via messages and letter to rectify things that were not going right. He added that the STO has adopted policies that were being left out by the government.
Amr believes that the government has not won its people over in its four years. He said:
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The belief that even with an absolute majority of government and parliament, a second term cannot be won without an alliance
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In the by-elections, projects were being carried out in the constituency at high costs and the entire government budget was being exhausted and all the islanders were being employed by government companies and offices
Amr said the people have lost faith in the party and there is a high chance that the party will lose the upcoming election as well. He added that many party loyalists had distanced themselves from the party and that it was not because of any confusion or rejection of the party's policies.
"I also worked with utmost sincerity and good faith to develop and implement these policies. I had to choose another option as our attempts to bring the path of reform on several occasions did not elicit a response or support," Amr said.
"It is not for me to fight against the party's policies. Therefore, I will continue to strive for a prosperous life for the people of the Maldives in line with the vision of MDP."
