Economic direction may worsen if MDP acquires parliament majority: Pres

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu stated last night that if the opposition, Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) acquires majority of the parliament, the country will descend into a grave pit and the direction of the nation may worsen.

Referring to MDP's slogan for the parliamentary elections, "Misraabu Hama Magakah" loosely translated to "In the Right Direction", the President made this statement during the campaign event of the People's National Congress (PNC) & Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) coalition's candidate for the Holhudhoo Constituency in the upcoming parliamentary election, Abdul Sattar.

The President said that no good will arise from electing a group of people who openly challenge the policies and projects of the government that was chosen to benefit the people.

President Muizzu had raised this example in address of the rejection of the motion related to the Sovereign Development Fund proposed to the parliament by the Government.

He further asserted that this administration had brought the country back on the right track after this fund was dispersed and exhausted amid the tenure of MDP. The President maintained that the first bill lodged with the parliament after he assumed office was this motion to alter the Sovereign Fund according to the wishes of the people.

Remarking that there is no reason to reject the bill, he had questioned whether there is any reason to elect people sporting such views into the parliament.

"A single example elucidate that electing people who are against the government and works against the projects, programs and policies the government wishes to proceed on behalf of the people will not result in any benefit for the people. That [it will] only produce loss. That [it will] produce loss after loss. That direction will sway astray. So if that direction is seized, the economy will descend into a pitfall," said the President.

He had stated this as reasoning for the government's request from the residents to offer cooperation in order to raise the country from the pitfall it was put in by the previous government and proceed the people's nation back towards a just direction.

Speaking at the campaign ceremony, the President recalled the criticism incurred by Maldivian Democracy Network (MDN)'s report during the former government's tenure and alleged that the administration at the time had supported MDN's controversial stance.

"The former government had colluded with them, with our [taxpayers] money being issued as salary to those people, didn't it? They had dissolved the association in name because the people had pressured them to. But the association continued operations. Maybe this is why they want to resume their power in the parliament for another additional five years," said the President.

President Muizzu reiterated that there is no reason or rationale for people of this stance to be offered any space and stressed that MDP must be held answerable for sheltering them.

He had further revealed that he is harassed for preaching at podiums to perform all five daily prayers but assured that such harassment does not bother him.

Moreover, President Muizzu had maintained that people who prioritize Islam must be provided foremost opportunity in the journey of the Republic of Maldives.

"This journey begun for the Republic of Maldives to return to 'Dhiveheenge Raajje' [Maldivian's Maldives] through the hard work of Maldivian residents with the national mindset at this critical time when our independence has swayed away and the religion has been threatened and the country has lost direction and the economy falling into a pitfall, can only be completed by you ensuring we reach parliament on April 21," maintained the President.