Yameen challenges Ibu: You need to answer these questions

Incumbent President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, who received official confirmation of ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)’s ticket for the upcoming Presidential Elections last Sunday night, directed intense criticism at the opposition during his speech at the function, especially at the main opposition party, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which he says needs to answer certain questions if they wish to approach citizens for votes.

Yameen said there were some questions the people need answers for, and some questions the people deserved answers for.

Yameen said the opposition’s presidential candidate, the leader of MDP’s parliamentary group, MP Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (Ibu) needs to answer to what took place after former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed assumed office.

He said Ibu needs to answer by Nasheed’s administration failed to fulfill their promise to form a transportation network linking the entire Maldives and to lease uninhabited islands to people.

“Even today, their manifesto doesn’t say Maldivian assets will be in the hands of Maldivians. So we need to question why they had to sell our national airport to foreigners,” said Yameen.

He also said Ibu needs to clarify the lack of money which went into the treasury despite the transfer of ownership of the airport.

Yameen said Ibu needed to answer to what happened during Nasheed’s administration because he, like Nasheed, was MDP’s candidate.

He said there have been no changes to MDP’s council or the party’s policies even after everything which took place during the MDP administration, which Ibu needs to answer to.

“They need to tell the people how strongly they will hold Islamic values. They need to clarify whether they will opt for an alternative narrative again or not,” said Yameen.

He also said that if Ibu wants to uphold Islamic values, he needs to clarify to the people whether he will enforce Islamic laws such as the death penalty.

“He needs to clarify this because these principles are foreign to them. The people need answers to these questions before we go for a vote,” said Yameen.

Yameen also said that Ibu needs to answer to the acts of corruption which took place during Nasheed’s administration and the lack of action against the perpetrators. He said Ibu also needs to answer why the opposition exuded influence over the country’s justice system and forced the Supreme Court order of February 1.