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Like Malaysia, Maldives will say no to 'corrupt' govts: opposition

Shaina Abdulla
13 May 2018, MVT 14:00
President Yameen Abdul Gayoom (R) shakes hands with outgoing Malaysia PM Najib Razak
Shaina Abdulla
13 May 2018, MVT 14:00

Members of the opposition have declared that citizens of the Maldives would follow in the footsteps of Malaysia in the upcoming presidential elections and say no to the "corrupt" government of President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

The opposition expressed hopes that citizens of the Maldives would follow in the footsteps of Malaysians and overpower the current administration to elect a fair and just government in the upcoming elections.

Maafannu North MP Imthiyaz Fahmy took to Twitter to state that the Malaysian people have said ‘a strong no to a thief,’ and that Maldivians will be the next to do so. Addu Meedhoo MP Rozaina Adam also claimed that the Malaysian general elections have inspired Maldivians, and that the joint opposition can ‘get rid of Yameen’s corrupt dictatorship’ if they work together.

Galolhu South MP Ahmed Mahloof also tweeted, “Congratulations to the Joint Opposition for the stunning win over kleptocracy. Maldives is so akin to Malaysia. Next is the turn for Maldivians to kick out the Kleptocrat”.

During the Malaysian elections on Wednesday, 92-year-old Mahathir Mohamed led the Malaysian opposition coalition, Pakantan Harapan, to victory in their general elections. He is set to become the oldest prime minister after defeating Najib Razak, bringing an end to the six-decade rule of Barisan Nasional coalition, in a competitive election.

Mahathir was the Malaysian prime minister between 1981 and 2003, and had been in retirement when he decided to reemerge in politics and defeat Razak, a prime minister whose reputation had been tarnished by a multi-billion dollar graft scandal.

Whilst the presidential elections are upcoming, President Yameen faces graft allegations over the Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) scandal, which saw a staggering MVR 1.2 billion embezzled via the company. An expose "Stealing Paradise" Al-Jazeera had alleged that the stolen funds were deposited in the president's personal bank account.

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