JP leader Qasim: I’m not a politician, I’m a reformist

Jumhoory Party (JP) leader Qasim Ibrahim states that whatever other people may say, he considered himself a reformist and not a politician.

In an appearance on RaajjeTV’s Fashaairu show on Tuesday morning, the Maamigili MP said many people on various platforms called him a politician.

Qasim said he had never been a politician, and had always pushed for reforms.

“I’m not someone who lives like politicians do. If I were to live the way they do, I know it would end my life,” he said.

Qasim said there were many reasons why he did not wish to pursue a life of politics, but did not elaborate.

He said that coming to power at any cost wasn’t the legacy he wanted to leave.

“Becoming the president isn’t my legacy. I’m not pursuing that because that is not something I absolutely want,” he said.

Qasim said he was willing to do whatever necessary to bring much needed reforms to Maldives. He said he would come to whatever position he needed to in order to achieve his goal.

He said it was the sole reason he became a MP.

Qasim said he believes he has provided valuable service to Maldives, as he approaches 73 years of age.

He said he had spent 60 percent of whatever he has earned on Maldives, in educating the Maldivian people, and on the path shown by Almighty Allah. The remaining 40 percent he said he spent on investments.

Qasim’s remarks comes after JP, now part of the coalition government, announced it would nominate its own candidate for the 2023 presidential elections.