President Muizzu says he welcomes criticism, will not retaliate

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has denied allegations he recently instructed the demotion of an employee of a state-run company who criticized him.

He issued the denial during a gathering in Kurendhoo on Saturday morning – as part of his one-day trip to Lh. Atoll.

Addressing the gathering, President Muizzu said he recently read a news article which claimed he demoted a government employee for criticizing him.

The president referred to an article published by an online news outlet earlier this week, which quoted a President’s Office official as saying that he instructed the demotion of an employee of the State Trading Organization (STO) who criticized top government officials on social media.

President Muizzu said he immediately called STO’s managing director, Shimad Ibrahim, to clarify the situation.

“But the MD said it wasn’t that, that it was regarding something far more serious. He said that whatever was done was done in line with the company’s policies. I told him to clarify the situation to the people,” he said.

President Muizzu said that he wants to listen to the people, and believes in freedom of expression.

“I don’t want anyone to be penalized for saying something against me. I have never been someone like that. Everyone has the right to freedom of expression as long as its in line with the laws and regulations. And concerns must be raised,” he said.

He said that he, top government officials, heads of government companies, and lawmakers from the ruling PPM-PNC were honest and truthful, but that political opponents were misleading the public regarding that.

“Others are just telling nothing but blatant lies in response. Just plain lies without an iota of truth. I ask the people to be wise and choose the truth,” he said.

President Muizzu, during Saturday’s tour, will visit four islands in Lh. Atoll; Kurendhoo, Madivaru, Hinnavaru, and Naifaru.