Muizzu-Yameen split deepens as Yameen forms committee to bypass PPM leadership

Journalists were suddenly invited to a press conference held at the PPM office on Tuesday evening. The message invited to a very special press conference. The information of the press conference held at 10pm was not posted on the PPM's official WhatsApp group for reporters.

The party's leadership, who are usually seen at such press conferences, were not present at this press conference. The meeting was led by former minister Maleeh Jamal and former customs commissioner Abbas Adil Riza.

While Abbas made this sudden appearance at the meeting, he was charged with terrorism but had not yet been able to pin down and taken before the court in connection with a case in which he called for arson attacks against the Indian high commission in Male.

Maleeh began the press conference by talking about the importance of maintaining the strength and relationship between the PPM and the ruling PNC. He then said that under their party president Abdulla Yameen’s instructions, the PPM has formed a 12-member steering committee to move the party forward as "the ways of communication have weakened” between the party's ordinary members.

Some members of the committee are also present, Maleeh said, mentioning the names of the members of the committee. He said the committee has been asked to continue running the party temporarily until former President Yameen is released.

The committee consists of:

The 12 members of the committee have been designated as focal points for contacting the PPM and their contact numbers will be shared soon, he said.

"President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has appointed a temporary steering committee under the privileges he enjoys under the party's basic rules. We are now here with some of the members who were picked up from the workings of that steering committee," Abbas said.

A senior party official confirmed to Atoll Times that Abbas is not a member of the party's steering committee or has any position in the party.

The official media group of the PPM usually announces that it holds press conferences, but the press conference was not announced and the press conference was held without the party secretary general or the party leadership. Journalists raised such questions.

Abbas, who was leading the press conference with Maleeh, responded the meeting was being held on behalf of the PPM-PNC and there were members of the party in the government.

However, he said that Yameen has handed over the party's management to an ad hoc committee under his powers as the PPM-PNC leader.

Explaining why Yameen temporarily handed over the PPM to the committee, Abbas said:

However, Tholal and Heena have denied these allegations. A journalist at the meeting said that Tholal denies these allegations and that he has not shied away from carrying out his SG responsibilities and that the press conference was not held with the knowledge of the PPM-PNC leadership. Abbas retorted that Yameen would decide the matter.

After the press conference, Heena denied the allegations when asked if she had resigned.

With Yameen's jail sentence, he does not currently have official status in the party. Therefore, although his advice was sought on running the party, the party's leadership currently consists of two vice-presidents, Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam and Defense Minister Ghassan Maumoon. Yameen had earlier handed over the running of the PPM-PNC to PNC chairperson Abdul Raheem Abdulla, who is now President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s closest associate.

Atoll Times has learned that the press conference held on Tuesday was held without the knowledge of the party leadership. Senators cannot do that.

Tholal has recently resigned as party SG as he has been appointed as the Sports Commissioner of this government.