Maldives Police on Wednesday denied permission for Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom’s faction of the divided ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) to hold a meeting that night.
Without any documentation, the matter was informed by two officers who went to Maumoon Foundations' office. The meeting was scheduled to be held at the current PPM leader's office Themaa house in Henveiru ward to gather the opinions and thoughts of members. As PPM leader Maumoon was not in office at the time, the police had informed the decision to his son and lawmaker, Faris Maumoon. However, no reason was provided to withhold permission.
In response to the development, Former President Maumoon's faction claimed that this decision was an order from a certain undisclosed individual.
Speaking at a press conference after the meeting was cancelled, the deputy leader appointed by Maumoon's faction, Aminath Nadhira, stated that the police informed them that only Maumoon is permitted to enter Themaa house. Nadhira noted that police denied to give a written documentation.
“We were planning to have a small meeting of around 20 people, but they [President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom's faction of PPM] couldn’t digest it.”
Nadhira also questioned why President Yameen was concerned over such a small gathering if he had the support of people.
In addition, Maumoon’s daughter Yumna Maumoon said the meeting was arranged under the reform agenda announced by the former president.
Yumna further noted that the meeting was called off as Maumoon did not want anyone to be harmed or taken under custody.
Hence, she said another alternative is being arranged to collect members' opinions.
Lawmaker of Thulusdhoo Constituency Mohamed Waheed Ibrahim criticized President Yameen saying that no opportunity is being given for opposition's political ideologies.
With the internal disagreements in PPM stemming from the political fallout between Former President Maumoon and his half-brother President Yameen, the judicial courts have given the control of the party to President Yameen. PPM leader Maumoon has since taken back his support for the government.
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