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Government requires parliament majority to ensure peace: VP Naseem

31 March 2019, MVT 11:14
Vice President Faisal Naseem speaking at Faris Maumoon's campaign rally for the upcoming parliamentary elections. PHOTO: HUSSAIN WAHEED / MIHAARU
31 March 2019, MVT 11:14

Vice President Faisal Naseem on late Friday stated that attaining a majority in the upcoming April 6 parliamentary elections for the government is a necessity to bring tranquility to Maldives.

He made the statement at Faris Maumoon’s campaign rally for Mahchangolhi South constituency, in response to sentiments recently expressed that it is mandatory for opposition coalition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People’s National Congress (PNC) to win a “super majority” in the elections, to ensure peace and security in Maldives.

However, Vice President Naseem stated that citizens will not comply with giving the opposition a super majority, noting that the people are thoughtful and would want the country to develop instead of taking regressive steps.

Previously, current opposition leader and former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom on Thursday said that peace in Maldives is dependant on PPM/PNC and Jumhooree Party (JP) attaining a vast majority in the elections.

While JP is a component of the current coalition administration, amidst dispute over Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s alleged violation of the coalition agreement on distribution of constituency seats in parliament, JP leader Qasim Ibrahim extended support for PPM and PNC candidates.

The dispute arose when MDP decided to contest for every constituency despite the coalition's agreement, and Qasim and former President Mohamed Nasheed have since engaged in heated verbal exchanges.

Referring to Yameen’s administration, Vice President Naseem said that the government at the time was cruel and unjust, and all institutions were “in the palm of [Yameen’s] hands.”

He further stated that super majority was given to the then government, which took unfair advantage of it.

“Authority was given to extents that world leaders should not attain. Whatever he wanted was carried out without delay, whether it was in the hours of early morning, noon, or at any time he pleased,” said the Vice President, referring to Yameen.

VP Naseem described the previous administration as consisting of cruel people who worked to eliminate ethical legitimate businesses and those that worked towards betterment.

Moreover, he went on to say that Maldives’ status quo is at its poor state due to illegitimate uses of revenue, and that the act of stealing money from the citizens is disgraceful and shameful. The VP said those guilty of committing these felonious acts needed to be removed from the political landscape.

Furthermore, he iterated that candidates do not contest in the elections to further their own agenda and to abuse the posts' influence for personal gain.

Declaring his support for Faris, the Vice President noted that it is a necessity for the parliament to be peaceful and dignified. He highlighted the importance of electing candidates to the parliament that embody Islamic values of honesty, competency, integrity, accountability, and trustworthiness.

In the campaign rally, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Aishath Nahula greatly endorsed Faris and stated that he is the most able candidate out of all contesting for Mahchangolhi South constituency, and that he would be a “treasure” to the area.

She stated that the administration wants to attain good outcomes for citizens, and the very purpose of changing the government through the formation of the coalition was to better provide citizens with benefits. She added that, as a result, the citizens now want to elect candidates representing the ruling coalition.

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