The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has issued a scathing statement condemning the administration of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu for what it describes as systematic misuse of state institutions to suppress democratic freedoms and target opposition members.
The MDP accused the government of using amendments to the Anti-Corruption Commission Act to weaken the independence of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). According to the party, these amendments grant President Muizzu unchecked authority to appoint the President of the ACC, compromising its impartiality and turning it into a political tool to pursue personal vendettas.
The statement also raised concerns about selective investigations by the Maldives Police Service (MPS), which the MDP claims are designed to shield the current administration from scrutiny while targeting opposition figures. Highlighting allegations of corruption within the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA), the MDP called for credible investigations into what it described as gross misuse of state resources. The party alleged that President Muizzu himself had knowledge of and possible involvement in these corrupt dealings, but no credible investigations have been initiated.
Adding to their grievances, the MDP condemned a pre-dawn raid conducted by the Maldives Police Service on the residence of MDP National Council Member Moosa Ali Manik. The raid, which took place while his family was sleeping, was described as an act of intimidation that highlights the government’s growing tendency to silence dissent.
The party cited other recent incidents as examples of politically motivated actions, including:
- The Public Accounts Committee launching investigations into former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, former Economic Minister and MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail, and other key figures of the previous administration.
- Travel bans imposed on former State Minister Akram Kamaludeen and Ahmed Saeed Mohamed, former Managing Director of Fenaka Corporation, as part of corruption probes.
- Police summons issued to MDP members for allegedly "threatening" posts on social media.
- Threats of action against MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail for remarks made at an MDP rally.
The MDP warned that these actions signal a rapid erosion of democratic norms and a dangerous consolidation of power under President Muizzu's administration. The party also expressed alarm over the weakening of public trust in key oversight institutions, such as the ACC and the MPS.
In its statement, the MDP demanded that the government halt its politically motivated persecution of opposition members and uphold the principles of democracy, transparency, and accountability. The party called on the international community to monitor these developments and support efforts to protect the democratic freedoms of the Maldivian people.
The MDP accused the government of using amendments to the Anti-Corruption Commission Act to weaken the independence of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). According to the party, these amendments grant President Muizzu unchecked authority to appoint the President of the ACC, compromising its impartiality and turning it into a political tool to pursue personal vendettas.
The statement also raised concerns about selective investigations by the Maldives Police Service (MPS), which the MDP claims are designed to shield the current administration from scrutiny while targeting opposition figures. Highlighting allegations of corruption within the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA), the MDP called for credible investigations into what it described as gross misuse of state resources. The party alleged that President Muizzu himself had knowledge of and possible involvement in these corrupt dealings, but no credible investigations have been initiated.
Adding to their grievances, the MDP condemned a pre-dawn raid conducted by the Maldives Police Service on the residence of MDP National Council Member Moosa Ali Manik. The raid, which took place while his family was sleeping, was described as an act of intimidation that highlights the government’s growing tendency to silence dissent.
The party cited other recent incidents as examples of politically motivated actions, including:
- The Public Accounts Committee launching investigations into former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, former Economic Minister and MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail, and other key figures of the previous administration.
- Travel bans imposed on former State Minister Akram Kamaludeen and Ahmed Saeed Mohamed, former Managing Director of Fenaka Corporation, as part of corruption probes.
- Police summons issued to MDP members for allegedly "threatening" posts on social media.
- Threats of action against MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail for remarks made at an MDP rally.
The MDP warned that these actions signal a rapid erosion of democratic norms and a dangerous consolidation of power under President Muizzu's administration. The party also expressed alarm over the weakening of public trust in key oversight institutions, such as the ACC and the MPS.
In its statement, the MDP demanded that the government halt its politically motivated persecution of opposition members and uphold the principles of democracy, transparency, and accountability. The party called on the international community to monitor these developments and support efforts to protect the democratic freedoms of the Maldivian people.
