President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom on Tuesday requested the people to "test" his administration for one more term, in order for his government to complete the ongoing mega development projects.
Speaking at the inauguration of the sewerage system in Shaviyani Atoll's Milandhoo, President Yameen highlighted the slew of development projects he launched during his first term, vowing to push for more such ventures in other islands he is scheduled to visit.
"The next island to visit would ask me what else I could do for them; and after that, what more again. So test this president again; he would do it all for you," proclaimed Yameen.
Touching upon his predecessors' failure to bring about development for the people, President Yameen also emphasized that his administration has successfully managed to build the bridge between capital Male and airport island Hulhule, which previous governments had not been able to. He promised that he would continue to deliver more progress for the people.
Yameen further slated the previous administrations, stating that they had also committed several constitutional infringements such as influencing the judiciary, shutting down courts, and arbitrary arrests. He stressed that the nation must not allow them to be repeated.
The president also addressed the criticism he was currently facing over the arrests of the Supreme Court's chief justice and judge.
"If there are things happening outside of legal boundaries, then everyone must be aware of the role of the nation's leader," he said. "In the face of major incidences that pose danger to the people or the nation, the responsibility [to solve them] is not given to the Supreme Court, but to the president of the country."