President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has described a decision made by the national bank on Sunday to suspend dollar transactions from Rufiyaa accounts as a "direct coup attempt."
Speaking at a gathering of the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) on Monday night, Muizzu said the Bank of Maldives (BML) decision was announced despite his direct orders against the decision.
The President said an investigation would be launched into the decision to suspend dollar transactions against his advice.
"What was done, anyone with common sense would know that all these dots are connected, what was done is, just as Shiyam [Minister Shiyam] also pointed out, it was an attempted coup, by whoever was behind it," he said.
The President said he would work with the full powers given by the Constitution to stop any attempt to change the government illegally.
He accused the opposition of trying to bring a "coup" in connection to BML's decision by following the example of what happened in some neighboring countries recently.
The police on Monday night announced that a "serious investigation" had been launched into the alleged coup attempt. Muizzu assured that the government would not exert any influence on the investigation.
"I will not hesitate to carry out the verdict after an independent investigation. That is justice," he stated.
The President said the BML board consists of four government members and the remaining five are not associated with the government.
However, six of the nine members of the BML board were proposed by the government and appointed at the bank's annual general meeting held in May.
The names proposed by the government for 2024-2025 were;
- Hassan Zareer
- Karl Stumke (CEO and MD)
- Aishath Nooruddin
- Aishath Sajny
- Ali Faris Mohamed
- Adil Moosa
- Suzy Adam
Hassan Zareer was also appointed as the Chairman of BML by the government. However, he resigned before the annual general meeting after the Parliament decided to appoint him as the Commissioner General of Taxation.
