Former President Abdulla Yameen has said that even though lot of people go into airconditioned rooms and forget things when they assume higher positions of government, the people of Maldives who love him would be out on the streets for his sake and for the sake of the country.
Yameen addressed his supporters who had gathered near his home in Maafannu Dhoovehi to present a meal for the former president. He said that during his time in prison, he observed that the people who rallied for his release were beloved citizens of the Maldives.
"Things became easier for those who now occupy prominent positions due to the efforts of President Yameen and you, the people.So it is human nature to forget these things when you assume higher positions," Yameen said.
"However, the love of the people is not something that can be taken away, even if one is in jail," the former president said.
Yameen said he wanted a fair trial to prove his innocence to the people and that he has not pleaded with the current government or anyone else for his release. He said the most they could do was put him in prison, which has now become second nature to him.
Yameen said that the people who worked the hardest for his cause were the women among his ordinary supporters. He said that these women left their parents, children, and husbands at home to protest on the streets on his behalf, while those in higher positions remained within air-conditioned rooms. He urged the people to discern whether these individuals seeking votes were acting in the interest of the nation or their personal interests.
Yameen further said if they were working in the interests of the nation, they should be with the people out on the streets who are out for the sake of the leader who has done the most for the nation.
"They should have the courage to be out on the streets. Strong statements are not to be made only when you assume a higher office. You have to demonstrate your beliefs before that," Yameen said.
While Yameen made these statements, President-elect Dr. Mohamed Muizzu had requested that he be given the opportunity to free Yameen through the proper procedures and had appealed to the people not to have rally on the streets. Despite this appeal, people gathered near Yameen's house on the same night that the appeal was made.
"I request that you refrain from it [rallying on the streets]. I ask that you give me the opportunity to do things properly. Otherwise, if you give me this task, and you go on a different path, the country will not achieve stability," Dr. Muizzu said.
According to Yameen, he did not rule power for honor, dignity, or salary. He said that despite his rivals expecting him to be deeply saddened when his candidacy was invalidated by the Supreme Court, he said that his main concern was the repercussions of the Supreme Court ruling.
Yameen said that there is now an opportunity for a sitting president to invalidate the candidacy of their rival closer to the election time through the lower courts. He believes that a presidential candidacy cannot be invalidated by a lower court while the opportunity to appeal still exists.
"Complete my appeal stage, I will come out again as an innocent man," he said.
Yameen stated that despite his imprisonment, his greatest joy was the end of the current government. He said that he believed the current government had been unjust to the people.
Yameen further alleged that the current government had engaged in numerous acts of corruption. He predicted that people would realize the extent of their wrongdoing once the cases were thoroughly investigated, claiming that large sums of money had been taken.
He said, "There is not a single person who can escape from it. Our newly formed government should have the courage to investigate. If the cases are thoroughly examined, this will become evident."
"If we are doing national work, we should be steadfast. I can be imprisoned or harmed." said Yameen.
"If we are doing national work, we should remain steadfast. I can be imprisoned or harmed," said Yameen.
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