President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has said his policy is to ensure the rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution are guaranteed to the fullest extent.
Speaking in Haa Alif Dhidhdhoo island on Tuesday night, Muizzu said the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and assembly and "that is the policy this government will implement."
He said the people have the right to do whatever is not prohibited by law and the government must implement the law.
"This is the reform that this country needs," he said, adding that the path to stability is through that.
However, police obstructed peaceful protest in Dhidhdhoo ahead of Muizzu's visit by removing anti-government banners and warning opposition activists.
Muizzu said he does not care about criticism but added, "people must accept that everyone has a reputation."
"You have to promote good manners. You have to speak politely. You have to accept that every citizen is a respectable citizen. You have to accept that everyone has a reputation. You have to accept that it is not acceptable in our religion to demean others. You have to accept that political differences do not give you the right to demean and disrespect others," he said.
Muizzu said the country would find peace only when these things were accepted as individual responsibility and warned that true development could not be achieved by building airports or roads.
Amid increasing criticism of his policies, Muizzu said the people should be cautious about the stories brought by transgressors.
"It is very clear in our religion that if he is an unreliable person, if he is a transgressor, we have to look into the truth of what he is saying. It is our responsibility," he said.
He added that every Maldivian, regardless of political ideology, is a Muslim first and should use their intelligence to decide things for themselves without letting others do it for them.
He warned that humans are no different from animals unless we use our intelligence.
