Dunya: People are sick of parties, only independent candidates can offer sincere service

Maldivians have grown sick of political parties, and only independent candidates can offer sincere service, says Dunya Maumoon, who is contesting for the South Hulhumale’ parliamentary seat as an independent candidate.

At the PSM parliamentary debate, Dunya said she had been among those who advocated to introduce democracy to Maldives, but that the people’s perception of political parties has changed since then.

“The party system in the Maldives isn’t functioning the way we envisioned. Most of the time is spent on sucking up, corruption, and more,” she said.

Dunya said that she, as an independent, does not need to appease political leaders and cannot be influenced.

‘I am not someone who can be bought with money or power and influence. I am not from a political party,” she said.

Dunya said that she will serve her constituents with sincerity if elected, and will continue to keep a close watch on their wellbeing.

“The Parliament needs honest and sincere representatives. We no longer tolerate people who go missing after switching parties for money or a favorable deal, who do not meet constituents and who do not serve the people,” she said.

Dunya also reiterated her support to empower people to recall their parliamentary representatives, and said she would support the passage of such a law.

Dunya obtained a B.A.(Honors) degree in Social Anthropology at the University of Cambridge in England in 1992. She went on to complete a MPhil Degree at the London School of Economic and Political Science (LSE) in 1996, where the focus of her research was “Gender Activism and the Islamic Revival”.

She served as Maldives’ Foreign Minister from 2013-2016, and also served at the United Nations Human Rights Committee.