Bilehdhoo MP Ahmed Haleem 'Dhonbiley' declared on Sunday night that he would not bow to anyone's influence and remain loyal to the government in parliament.
Speaking at a function held to officially inaugurate projects completed in Magoodhoo island, Ahmed Haleem recalled remarks made by president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih during the campaign for the parliamentary election.
Two days before the election, the president had said "Dhonbiley Ahmed should be in parliament" during a rally in Bilehdhoo, Haleem said.
"I know today that the reason I need to be in parliament is to sustain the government, that the president cannot sustain the government if I don't do those things," said Haleem, who previously worked against the government.
Dhonbiley with President Solih in Magoodhoo - Photo: President's Office
Haleem earlier supported speaker Mohamed Nasheed and mainly performed as a critic of the government. However, he voted in favour of the government to raise the GST and T-GST. He has since maintained the pro-government stance.
Despite opposition efforts against the tax hike, there was no other way to ensure development, he said.
"I know that the Maldivian government needs to have money in order to do things. The way to do that is to secure funds from abroad as well. That's why I voted for [the tax rises] that day," he said.
Haleem said he would not fall under anyone's influence and that he would work as the public wished. The public wants to maintain this government, he said.
I am a person who works in line with how the public thinks, the public spirit and the public pulse. I am not someone who has bent to a particular person's influence. I am Dhonbiley Ahmed. Even if my mask is removed I'd still be just Dhonbiley Ahmed.
Haleem said he would continue to do the work necessary to maintain the government.
"I offer my assurance that I will continue to give the cooperation within parliament. On matters that I accept, I will do it well," he said.
Formerly a close ally of Nasheed, Haleem changed his stance and supported Solih in the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) primary. But this was the first time that he publicly spoke in support of the president.
