President Yameen calls on Ari Atoll to leave former ideology, embrace development

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom on Tuesday pledged more development for Alif Alif and Alif Dhaal atolls should he be reelected, and called on their people to leave their former "unwavering" ideology and embrace the progressive outlook brought about by his government.

The president made the proclamation during his visit to Maamigili, Alif Dhaal, which is the home island of Jumhooree Party's convicted founder Qasim Ibrahim. While Qasim had represented Maamigili constituency during his tenure as a lawmaker, he enjoys great popularity amongst the people of Alif Alif and Alif Dhaal atolls, most of whom had voted for his favoured candidates during past elections.

Speaking to the people of Maamigili on Tuesday, President Yameen emphasised that it was his government that had brought development to the atoll unlike previous administrations, and requested the residents to leave their loyalty to Qasim Ibrahim's ideology.

"Most of the development projects in Ari Atoll (Alif Alif and Alif Dhaal) were undertaken over the past five years. The people of Maamigili are witness to that," he said.

President Yameen declared that his administration alone has invested MVR 258 million in Maamigili alone.

"And hence there is no need to stick unwaveringly to a single ideology."

The president pledged to develop Maamigili's health centre into a hospital and establish bank services in the island as per the residents' wishes should he win the upcoming Presidential Election, and requested the people to vote for him on September 23.