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Will remain politically active even if dismissed: Fayyaz

Mariyam Malsa
12 October 2020, MVT 12:17
Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail. PHOTO: AHMED AWSHAN ILYAS/ MIHAARU
Mariyam Malsa
12 October 2020, MVT 12:17

Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail, on Sunday, stated that he would maintain involvement in politics even in the case that a vote of no confidence is taken against him.

Speaking on air during a programme on national radio station 'Dhivehi Raajjeyge Adu', the minister answered several questions concerning Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed's ongoing efforts to dismiss him from the cabinet.

Despite stating that there were no grounds to warrant the motion for his dismissal, Minister Fayyaz expressed intentions to maintain his involvement in the political sphere in order to secure advantages for the country and its citizens, in the event that the motion was approved.

According to Fayyaz, the position of minister was inconsequential to him as he only accepted the ministership after being urged to support the incumbent administration's drive to initiate reform and steer economic development towards set targets.

The minister went on to note that he had only received a short period to create considerable economic changes, adding that the infrastructural and regulatory changes initiated over the past two years were more substantial than developments over the previous 10 or 15 years.

Additionally, he guaranteed that all his future political activities would be conducted as a member of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), asserting that he would not switch allegiances while the coalition leader continued to embody the ideals of democracy and justice that he believed in.

"However, I am not someone who will stand behind a specific name or person with my eyes closed", stated Fayyaz, asserting that he would adhere to his personal beliefs and oppose MDP if the party acted in an unjust manner.

During the previous week, Parliament Speaker and MDP President Nasheed noted that the previous move to dismiss the economic minister was a matter of internal party politics, adding that no efforts were undertaken on a parliamentary level to unseat the minister.

Nasheed kicked off efforts to oust one of the most influential members of the cabinet in August, by collecting signatures of lawmakers within the party to push a no-confidence vote against Fayyaz. The Parliament Speaker had raised serious allegations of corruption against the minister, stressing that the claims must be investigated on "a criminal level".

In addition to denying all allegations of corruption raised against him, Minister Fayyaz also responded to Nasheed's call for the minister to recuse himself from official duties by stating that he had "no intention of resigning" and that only President Solih may terminate him.

Despite Nasheed's allegations of corruption, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih later spoke up in defense of Minister Fayyaz, claiming that he found no justification for a censure motion.

The President further claimed that the minister's actions were yet to warrant such drastic measures, adding that he is yet to hear of any complaints pertaining to the minister.

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