MDP vows action against ex-minister Ali Waheed with more evidence
“So tell Heena Waleed to fix her household first, the things that need to be fixed in her house and then call on the rest".
By
Mohamed Muzayyin Nazim
The Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) has said it will take action against former tourism minister Ali Waheed, who is running for parliament on an MDP ticket, if there is more evidence in the case of alleged sexual assault of several female staff.
The sexual harassment and assault cases against Ali Waheed, who is contesting the upcoming parliamentary elections for the Kulhudhuffushi South constituency, have resurfaced after statements given to the police investigation by the victims were leaked last month. Thus:
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The statements were leaked after the testimonies of the women who allegedly were assaulted in the case were withdrawn
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The prosecutor's office withdrew the charges against him in June after the statements were withdrawn
The ruling PNC on Thursday expressed concern over the MDP's silence on the leaked statements.
The MDP's parliamentary campaign spokesperson, Ahmed Easa, answered questions from Atoll Times at a press conference held by the party.
“If there is such a [ticket confiscation] situation and for example more evidence is found in the case, the investigating agencies decide to investigate the case further, and if anything comes to light that can be prosecuted, then this party will take necessary action,” he said when Atoll Times asked if the MDP believes that there is a situation where Waheed's ticket will be taken away.
Easa said the issue came up during the MDP government and the then President Ibrahim Mohammed Solih took the necessary action.
"He handed over the cases to the investigating agencies. And the accused [Ali Waheed] was excluded from the cabinet. The government did everything it could to allow for an investigation without influence," he said.
Campaign spokesperson Heena Waleed expressed the concern on behalf of the PNC at a press conference held on Thursday.
Easa said he was "ashamed" of Heena's comments.
“The other most accused in the case [Mohammed Hassaan, then Political Director of the Tourism Ministry] is still running behind President Muizzu, holding his black bag,” Easa said.
In addition, Easa said:
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MMPRC Deputy Managing Director Bassam Adam still stands in his position, in full authority despite being recently accused of sexually assaulting his female employees
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The case has not been handed over to an investigative agency
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The internal committee set up by the company to look into the matter was also wrongly constituted; the committee includes a relative of Bassam
“So tell Heena Waleed to fix her household first, the things that need to be fixed in her house and then call on the rest,” he said.
"We fixed things rightfully,and when we had to fix it in our household”.
Heena had also questioned why Ali Waheed's ticket was not taken away while Abdullah Jabir's ticket was.
When posed with the question, Easa said that Ali Waheed's case and Jabir's case are "two different situations" He said:
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Videos of Jabir cursing in front of children, women and families was circulating on social media
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The MDP took action against Jabir because of his "very low disciplinary standards"; and it was found to be disadvantageous for the party.
"This party is very democratic. Even if someone is accused, on one hand we are not talking about an allegation alone [in the Jabir case]. We are talking about a visible fact. In another matter [in the Ali Waheed case], we are talking about an allegation," Easa said, pointing out the difference between the two cases.
