Adhurey suggests Yameen is ‘traitor’ to Maldivian people

Abdul Raheem Abdulla (Adhurey), the Special Advisor to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, implied in remarks he made during a rally on Wednesday that former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom is a “traitor” to the Maldivian people.

Abdul Raheem, who is accompanying President Muizzu on his current tour of M. Atoll, unleashed a spate of critical remarks against Yameen in a rally in Mulah on Wednesday afternoon.

While he did not explicitly name Yameen, he referred to remarks he made and things he did.

Yameen is often seen questioning people in the podium while sitting in the audience during gatherings held by his new party, the People’s National Front (PNF).

Without naming Yameen, Adhurey said that creating strife will only damage the country.

“I want to say this to the people who sit in the audience and ask questions by setting up podiums to create strife and discord, all day and all night; the people gave you a chance to serve them,” he said.

Abdul Raheem said that “they” did not serve the people as they were currently advocating for.

He said that the incumbent administration was working for the benefit of the people, and that any attempt to create strife and discord therefore constitutes as an act to harm the country.

“Do not pull my tongue,” he said. “There’s not much I can say at a podium like this, but I do have much to say.”

Abdul Raheem, who was once a close aide to both Yameen and his brother, former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, said that he has seen how a lot of Maldivian leaders have ruled, and the extent to which they listened to the people.

“If you pull at the tongue like this, we, too, may be forced to say a lot more,” he said.

‘There’s a limit to everything. If you are unable to understand what happens when you pass these limits, then there’s nothing I have to say about that.”

Abdul Raheem said he is willing to do whatever it takes to protect President Muizzu’s administration.

He also referred to recent criticism by Yameen regarding the launch of air ambulance services.

In a rally on Monday, Yameen had asked what patients in islands without an airstrip were supposed to do.

Abdul Raheem said that criticism against air ambulance service constituted to criticism of the Maldivian people.

“If someone begins advocating against, arguing about and criticizing when an administration comes to sincerely serve the Maldivian people, then that person is an enemy of this nation. A traitor to the people. It doesn’t matter who that person is,” he said.

Abdul Raheem said he acknowledges the good done by previous Maldivian leaders, but that they must accept the reality if they want to maintain this love and respect.

“They must accept that President Dr. Muizzu is the leader now… That they cannot forever remain in power,” he said.

Yameen, the former leader of the ruling PPM-PNC coalition, was sentenced to 11 years in prison on December 25, 2022, on charges of bribery and money laundering in connection to the sale of V. Aarah.

He was transferred home on October 1, 2023 – a day after President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu won the presidential elections. But less than a week after President Muizzu took office in November, Yameen left the ruling coalition, and initiated efforts to form a new party.

Yameen has appealed his conviction with the High Court. While the appellant court wrapped up its hearings three months back, it has yet to deliver a verdict.

Despite the law prohibiting him from engaging in active politics due to his conviction, Yameen continues to be heavily involved in PNF’s activities, even attending party meetings and campaign events.

He has also grown increasingly vocal in his criticism of President Muizzu’s administration.