Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman saw former President Abdulla Yameen as a friend and paid him USD 20 million every year when he was in office, according to Villa group ownner Qasim Ibrahim's biography.
The 700-page book, Qasim Ibrahim - An Exemplary Maldivian Son, contains many details about political matters. One of them is about a visit to Saudi Arabia after former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was elected in 2018.
Solih visited Saudi Arabia on November 7, 2018, before being sworn in. Qasim, who is the leader of Jumhooree Party, accompanied him on the trip. According to his biography, they were invited by the Crown Prince.
"During the visit, Crown Prince Mohammed hosted a perfect dinner. Speaking during the dinner, Mohammed said that he saw Yameen as a friend but that Saudi Arabia would maintain close relations with whoever comes to power as the Kingdom's ties are with the country," the book described.
"After the one-to-one meeting [with the Prince], Solih told Qasim that the Crown Prince had said that he used to give President Yameen USD 20 million every year for the work of the President's Office."
The Crown Prince also pledged to give USD 20 million a year to the Solih government. But the biography does not mention whether the financial assistance was given from 2018 to 2023.
“When Qasim asked Solih if the assistance would be given to our government, he said they would,” the book read.
The biography of one of the most influential personalities in Maldivian history, Villa group Chairman and Maamigili MP Qasim Ibrahim, details his early days in the islands and his migration to Male'.
The book details how he started his first business and became one of the country’s wealthiest men, his service to nation-building, his generosity and how he became an influential figure in the political arena.
It was written by veteran journalist Mohamed Jameel, whose previous works include the biography of former President Dr. Mohamed Waheed and the memoir of the first President of the Republic of Maldives Mohamed Ameen. The book was officially launched on Monday night to celebrate Qasim's 75th birthday.
A special website and audiobook of Qasim's biography were also launched on February 10. The book will be distributed free of charge from February 11.
