Will not back down despite coup accusations: Fayyaz

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) will not resort to overthrowing a government by coup, and no one in the party will back down from holding the government accountable, even in the face of arrest threats, said Fayyaz Ismail, the party's Chairperson, today.

This statement comes as the Maldives Police Service launched an investigation into the Bank of Maldives' (BML) recently reversed decision to impose a foreign transaction limit, which is alleged to have been orchestrated by political figures. Last night, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu described the incident as a direct attempted coup during ruling party People's National Congress (PNC) meeting.

Some government officials allege that the main opposition party, MDP, was behind this coup and that they attempted it via BML. They also question the timing of the press conference held by former Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer, which was at the same time as BML's announcement of the transaction limit.

In response, Fayyaz Ismail, who served as the Economic Minister during the MDP administration in the last presidential term, addressed the media at an MDP press conference today. He asserted that the MDP is not a party that engages in coups, stating that the party does not take to the streets to overthrow the government, but rather to hold it accountable.

"At this critical juncture, we are also looking to send a message to the government through available platforms. The message we're giving is [it's] wrong, wrong, wrong. We are saying to rectify it," he said.

"It is very lowly to claim that a coup is being attempted everytime our Admiral Ameer (former Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer) gives a press conference."

Fayyaz went on to say that they would take to the streets to voice their concerns, and that it is their right as an opposition party.

"We are realising that people are going to the point of starvation. The government still has the opportunity to right the wrongs and prevent that situation from happening. But we see President Muizzu trying to act in a thoughtless, stubborn and dictatorial manner," Fayyaz accused.

'We're witnessing President Muizzu lose his footing and [on his way] to step down in the next few months. What we're seeing is [signs] of a potential internal coup that may take place. And this is seen from the Parliament, from Tweets and also other means. [We] feel as such."

Fayyaz stated that the MDP leadership is unfazed by attempts to arrest them on accusations of a financial coup and that neither they nor the Maldivian citizens will be deterred by threats of imprisonment. He added that if such arrests occur, the public will take to the streets.

"He [Commissioner of Police Shujau] needs to step down to preserve the honour of the Maldives Police Service. If PNC thinks we will back down, they are making a big mistake. Whether you call it a financial or mental coup, we will not be silenced. We will continue to expose the deceptions and lies of this government.", Fayyaz said.