Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed said last night that while opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is aiming to win the upcoming Local Council Elections, they are the same party that drove the economy into a deep pit.
Saeed made these comments while speaking at the inauguration of ruling People's National Congress (PNC)'s North Maafannu campaign hub. First Lady Sajidha Mohamed attended the ceremony as Chief Guest.
In his speech, Saeed alleged that even today, the figures seen in the leadership of MDP are the very people responsible for harming the economy previously.
"It's only been about two years. And now the same people are coming out afresh and saying we have better suggestions. It's the same Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the man who was President then. It's the same people in the frontlines, there has been no change," Saeed said.
Saeed alleged that it was the most recent MDP administration reduced the Sovereign Development Fund from USD 200 million to a mere USD 2 million. He further claimed that when President Dr Mohamed Muizzu had assumed office on November 17, 2023, the Maldives' reserves lacked sufficient funds to even provide food and staples for 15 days.
Now, the reserve has been increased to USD 1.1 billion, Saeed said.
"Won't MDP do the same if they return now? They have no new ideology. Even this far into the campaign, they haven't had a single campaign rally in a campaign hub. They haven't given any new ideas," Saeed criticized MDP.
He also voiced reservations about MDP's housing policies, saying the land plots were no more than imaginary ones issued from 'under the sea', promised in a rush in the run up to the presidential elections.
"Today, President Muizzu has made these fantasies into reality, and reclaimed these plots and issued it to the recipients. This is the reason why you should vote for PNC."
Saeed claimed that the MDP is split into four of five factions still arguing about who should run in the presidential election.
"So even if people like this are given a win in the Local Council Elections, they'll still continue to focus on that."
Saeed went on to say that it is President Muizzu who had empowered women and women's development committees (WDCs). To support this, he recalled how President Muizzu issues Ramadan allowance and other benefits to members of WDCs.
In his two years in office, President Muizzu had visited all inhabited islands, listened to concerns and facilitated more empowerment for WDCs, Saeed said.
"This is how women are included within the system. It's not just a spoken word. It's not fiction. True women's empowerment is tangible efforts to make this a reality. President Muizzu is the one who has done this," he said.
Saeed further said that Local Council staff had previously been in Category Four, but this government has since improved their salaries as well.
He commended the President for having made significant strides in improving many matters faced by the country. This includes the ban on vapes, the generational ban on tobacco, economic reform and debt management, and introduction of National Service for youth, he noted.
