The main topic of discussion in Maldivian politics at present concerns a 13-member steering committee formed by former President Abdulla Yameen - the “Yameen committee” - attempting to take over management of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).
The party’s two Vice Presidents were absent from a sudden and extraordinary press conference that began at the PPM office at 10 pm on Tuesday night. The Secretary General and spokesperson were absent.
At the front were former Technology Minister Mohamed Maleeh Jamal and former Commissioner General of Customs Abbas Adil Riza.
When reporters questioned their status, Abbas said the press conference was called on behalf of former President Yameen by a steering committee selected by him.
The answer raised more questions.
Abbas then said that Secretary General Mohamed Tholal has recused himself from the duties of the post. Spokesperson Heena Waleed has resigned, he said.
But both denied the claims before the press conference ended.
The PPM has since suspended Maleeh and removed him from the senate’s official WhatsApp group over the event.
But Maleeh spoke to Adhadhu about the press conference and the formation of the Yameen committee.
Maleeh said the PPM’s two Vice Presidents - Defense Minister Hassan Maumoon and Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam - signed the letter sent by the party informing him of the disciplinary action out of fear of losing their jobs.
“The two people who signed that letter signed out of fear for their jobs. Two people who have harmed PPM’s interest and put their self-interest above it. So if action is to be taken, it should be taken against them,” Maleeh said.
This was a PPM government and PPM members should be in its posts, he said. But that was not the case and instead “what we see are people we’ve never seen in the political arena,” said Maleeh, who was in the cabinet in the first PPM government.
Further, officials who have assumed top posts in the government cannot be seen in Yameen’s hearings any longer, he said.
“We don’t see the people who went to court before going there anymore. That leadership they’re referring to. Those who didn’t miss a day in the past, we don’t see them going anymore,” he said.
Party at a standstill, Yameen wants it to function
According to Maleeh, the main reason that Yameen set up the committee was to create focal points to answer messages being sent to him by many party members.
"There are many concerns of regular members, many things they need to clear up, regarding the upcoming parliamentary election and with other such matters among them. This is a 13-member focal point formed to help President Yameen with clearing those up," Maleeh said.
With the parliamentary election imminent, Maleeh said tough days were ahead as the cooperation of the current parliament majority of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) was needed for the Progressive Party of Maldives-People's National Congress (PPM-PNC) in order to sustain the government.
Maleeh went on to say that the current leadership of the party has not been engaged with party affairs since assuming office.
Messages and calls to leaders such as Minister Shiyam with invitations to participate in Tuesday night's press conference went answered, he said.
"I don't believe that a separate office has to be formed for PNC and that various people in PPM's elected posts need to be brought into PNC. That is a concern of ours," Maleeh said.
