MP Ibrahim Didi: President should be given ‘unlimited powers’

Ibrahim Didi, a lawmaker from the main ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), suggested on Wednesday that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu should be given “unlimited powers” to run the country.

The Parliament on Wednesday morning held the preliminary debate on a new bill submitted by the government to replace the existing Anti-Gang Crime Act.

Joining the debate, Ibrahim Didi, the representative for South Feydhoo constituency, said that the bill should grant additional powers not just to the police, but also to ministers and the president himself.

He said that the Parliament will stop them if they abuse the powers.

“With us involved, the police would not dare to abuse the additional powers they are granted. They will be brought to the Parliament. The Parliament will fire the police officer. We will also fire the minister if they are unable to handle this,” said Ibrahim Didi, whose son Ali Ihusan is the homeland security minister.

He then said that President Muizzu should be given unlimited powers.

“Its not a problem for him to be given powers. The President should be given unlimited powers to run the country,” he said.

Ibrahim Didi said that several other countries labelled as dictatorships have a lower crime rate because leaders are given unlimited powers.

 “They are labelled as autocratic, but these countries are far more peaceful. They are far more developed, far more peaceful. The streets are free from danger. The countries must have developed because they don’t steal the money they generate,” he said.

Ibrahim Didi said that Maldives’ development remains impaired despite the fact that it generates hundreds of millions of Rufiyaa in tourism revenues each year.

He said that what the Maldivian people want is peace and development, and that it is not important to consider the principles of democracy.

The gang bill has been accepted into the Parliament for consideration, and is now under review by the  Judiciary Committee.