Protests led by opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) are intended to generate visibility for contenders in the party’s internal elections, Baarah MP Ibrahim Shujau has said.
In a post on X, Shujau claimed the demonstrations in Male' held every night have disrupted traffic and daily life, and were not a response to government wrongdoing.
“Party leaders are safely at home. No one is unjustly imprisoned. No one is facing political torture. These protests are to get the optics they want for the upcoming MDP internal elections,” he said.
He added that President Dr Mohamed Muizzu was working to improve public services, and described the protests as irresponsible.
MDP has been holding demonstrations across Male' since last Wednesday night, issuing 12 demands to the government.
At a press conference, Galolhu South MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem outlined proposed demands.
MDP's 12 demands
- Restore parliament's authority to appoint heads of independent bodies.
- Amend procedures so that projects cannot be granted without a bidding process.
- Revoke the legal amendments that strip MPs of their seats based on their parliamentary votes or actions taken by a political party's committee.
- Revise legislation to restore financial powers to local councils
- Expedite investigations into acts of corruption within the administration.
- Disclose the total number of political appointees, including SOE appointments and promotions granted in the past six months, and recipients.
- Provide fuel subsidies to fishermen in response to challenges arising from the war in the Middle East.
- Reform the Judicial Service Commission, and ensure the independence of the judiciary.
- Remove the presidents of institutions such as the Anti Corruption Commission and the Elections Commission, and appoint competent, qualified successors.
- Reduce State expenditure, and disclose economic reforms being taken in light of current economic realities.
- Establish committees including political parties and civil service organizations to guide Constitutional reforms, making their review and recommendations a prerequisite for any amendment.
- Immediately halt all projects that pose environmental risks and restore EPA's authority to safeguard the environment.
Members of the People’s National Front, led by former president Abdulla Yameen, have also staged protests and joined MDP demonstrations last night voicing out against the government.
Two MDP activists, Maimoon Mohamed, a former youth wing Vice President, and Naifaru constituency President Abdulla Rasheed were arrested during clashes with police but were later released.
