President-Elect Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's remarks to Al Jazeera about not believing that the Maldives could disappear due to sea level rise were misinterpreted, Spokesman Mohamed Firuzul Abdulla Khaleel said on Monday, insisting that Muizzu does believe the country is experiencing the effects of climate change.
Muizzu faced widespread criticism for dismissing the most likely consequence of climate change to the Maldives in his first interview with international media since being elected President. Some people expressed concern that the country's outspoken stance on environmental issues in the international arena could change with the new government.
Asked about the issue at his serial press briefings on transitional matters, Firuzul said Muizzu accepts both the challenges posed to the Maldives by climate change and the need for adaptation measures. He noted this in the interview as well, he added.
"I think it was interpreted that way because it was taken outside the meaning of the President-Elect's remarks," he said.
According to Firuzul, Muizzu said he does not believe the Maldives would sink in order to provide assurance that the country would remain as a nation and a state as it has done in the past despite environmental problems.
As foreign investors could be discouraged due to the fear of the Maldives ceasing to exist, Muizzu's remarks were intended to assure that he would work towards attracting investors to the country, Firuzul said.
"The President-Elect said the Maldives has been victimized by environmental problems due to the actions of large economies. He also spoke about his policies for shaping the efforts for making the Maldives a carbon-neutral country," he said.
"Therefore, I don't believe that there is any room to interpret it as the President-Elect not believing the damages caused by the climate change."
