Former Jumhooree Party (JP) member and advisor to JP leader Qasim Ibrahim, who joined Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Ilham Ahmed has made serious allegations against Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).
According to Ilham, PPM's motive was to regress back to the same authoritarian government led during former president Abdulla Yameen's administration.
He also alleged that the main opposition party has already curated a list of potential political prisoners, and members of MDP who would be forced out of their parliamentary seats.
Ilham officially joined MDP at the party's rally held on Friday evening, September 22.
At the rally, Ilham said that the families faced injustice during the previous PPM-led regime do not wish for the party to resume power.
He recalled his previous imprisonment on terrorism charges, while his younger brother shared the next cell as a political prisoner. Ilham also alleged that amid his imprisonment, his wife was held hostage inside the police station.
Ilham said he decided not to join the party he helped found because of its unfavorable prospective. He said that the opposition party holds regressive ideals of instilling fear and intimidation.
"PPM is currently devising to remove people from the judiciary, police and the army. There is a list of potential people who they are targeting to imprison," Ilham said.
"I will announce a list of people that PPM has curated to remove from the parliament. It would be hard for PPM to digest this, but I would share the details of the discussions held at Kings Corner."
"They offered me senior positions and power, but I responded to them with a simple 'sorry,'" Ilham said.
He also alleged that the opposition party was factionalized, and the majority of its members would not have the opportunity to contend for senior political positions through its ticket.
"There's a list of several members. In future, I would be sharing the details of these members. For the record, and for history," he added.
"If the people make the mistake to elect Muizzu as the president, Maldives would observe the most unjust government to date. Why do I say it like that? Because the 'boss' would return home. Think deeply of what would transpire next," Ilham said, directing to the possible release of former president Abdulla Yameen.
Ilham said that the Maldivian judiciary, courts, and security services would be controlled and abused under a PPM-led government.
"Judges and the employees in courts would be required to issue order after order, day and night."
He also alleged that a PPM-led government would abuse the security services to enforce unjust laws and regulations, which he claimed would be evident by recalling the political landscape in 2018.
Ilham also praised the current government, stating that it had provided social housing for PPM members, whereas in the previous PPM-led government, such provisions were extended only to party members and affiliates.
He also praised JP leader Qasim Ibrahim, noting his decision to leave the party was unprecedented. Ilham recalled to the imprisonment of Qasim Ibrahim's son Siyad Qasim during Yameen's administration.
Ilham also criticized Yameen, noting his administration mistreated Qasim when the then-government issued court orders against the businessman-turned-politician after freezing the accounts of his company.
Ilham pleaded from the public not to repeat the mistake, and warned of the unfavorable prospective for the Maldives if PPM assumes power again.
He advised the public to re-elect President Solih to maintain socio-political stability.
Sign In
