Will yield results from issues left untouched: President

Challenging issues such as medical mafia, dollar black market and banning vape, which previous governments were too scared to tackle, will be addressed and solved by this government in favour of the people, promised President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu last night.

His remarks were made in his speech at the country's Republic Day event held at Dharubaaruge. He detailed that the issues his administration has started solving in a specific order during the first year of power has not been an easy feat, but instead, big, difficult challenges that previous administrations had left out of convenience.

"If one rules as a servant of the people, these [issues] need to be solved. That's why I stood up to solve the drug problem. That's why I stood up to solve gang fight issues here. That's why I decided to ban vapes. That's why I stood up to eliminate the medical mafia. That's why I stood decided to end the dollar black market which was in the hands of the few to ensure equity of dollar wealth," the President said.

President Muizzu further said that during the past year, he governed as a servant of the people, listening to the voice of the people, so that he could meet the public's expectations.

Government's initiatives

- Solving the country's drug issue

- Attempting to stop gang fights

- Banning vapes

- Eliminate medical mafia controlled by the influential few

- Eliminate the black market of dollars and ensure equity of dollar wealth

- Start solving the issue of undocumented migrants

President said he wants to solve these difficult issues for the sake of the people, and that he needs the public's cooperation to stop the undesirable issues in the country.

Major changes brought by the country so far include banning vapes as of 15th December, and bringing down the minimum age of tobacco sales to 21. The government has also controlled the price of 250 of the most common medications used in the country in order to make Aasandha sustainable. Additionally, they are also working to minimise waste within the Aasandha system.

Along with publicising the identities of criminals and conducting operations against gangs, the government also plans to amend the law allowing a committee comprising of the Minister of Homeland Security and Technology as well as Police and Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) to identify gangs, gang leaders and members.

The bill requires the photo identities of gang members to be published, with the purpose of informing the public and foreign law enforcement agencies with which Maldives has established diplomatic relations.

Additionally, special operations are also underway to deport migrants who are either residing without valid visas or are involved with illegal activities.