No other candidate can even come close to me, Gasim says
Gasim criticised the two major parties, the ruling MDP and the main opposition PPM-PNC in his Addu campaign speech.
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By
Fathmath Ahmed Shareef
There is no candidate who can come even close to him, Jumhooree Party's (JP) Gasim Ibrahim, who is contesting the upcoming presidential election, said on Sunday evening. As Gasim described it, there is no candidate who can “measure” next to him.
The JP is campaigning for the coming Saturday's presidential election. At a rally in Addu on Sunday evening, Gasim urged the people to vote for the candidates based on their honesty, loyalty, education and experience.
Gasim said he was such a candidate and there is no one among the candidates contesting the September 9 election who can measure up to him.
Gasim, who has contested two previous elections and faced defeat, has pleaded with the people to vote for him and give him the opportunity to rule -finally.
In addition, Gasim criticised the two major parties, the ruling MDP and the main opposition PPM-PNC.
"Both these parties have largely failed. The people of Maldives will not vote for them, either the MDP candidate or the PPM candidate. They have no backbone. I have made it very clear. There is no other candidate who can measure up to me,” he said.
According to Gasim:
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He started his first business with only USD 2,000
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Twelve years later, he received the Business Encouragement Award from then President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom
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He entered the tourism industry in late 1986 and was awarded the Tourism Encouragement Award
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He has received awards for service to the Maldivian state in various fields
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Received state honours during former President Dr. Mohamed Waheed's tenure
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He has also received the highest honour for his service to humanity
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He holds an honorary PhD
Gasim also accused people of being “bribed” to change the election results. Gasim urged them not to sell their votes for money.
Gasim said he was out to save Islam and the country. If he was given the opportunity to govern, he promised to bring life to Addu.
"When I saw the uncivilised acts going on here, I came out. Otherwise, I don't want to come out and play this game when I'm 73," he said.
