The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has issued 12 demands to the government and announced plans to protest to call for their implementation.
Speaking at a press conference last night, Galolhu South MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem stated that the results of the recent local council elections and the referendum demonstrate that the government has lost public confidence and support. He emphasized that the MDP presented these 12 demands on behalf of the citizens to safeguard the nation’s future.
The 12 demands issued by the MDP to the government are:
- Repealing the legal amendments that allow the President to appoint the heads and deputies of independent institutions, and restoring that authority to the Parliament in line with democratic principles.
- Reviewing amendments to the State Financial Regulations that facilitate corruption, and strengthening the system by reforming provisions that allow projects to be awarded without a bidding process.
- Ensuring the legislative independence of Members of Parliament by repealing the provision that allows members elected by vote to be dismissed based on internal party committee decisions or their voting patterns in Parliament.
- Repealing changes introduced by this administration that restrict the powers of the decentralization system, and amending laws to guarantee full administrative and financial autonomy for local councils.
- Expediting investigations into government corruption. This includes investigating the mass hiring at state-owned enterprises (SOEs) during the election period, major projects awarded without bidding, and allegations of illegal land allocation through the HDC, with cases to be sent to court as soon as possible.
- Disclosing the total number of political appointees and providing details on the number of individuals appointed or promoted within SOEs and political positions over the past six months.
- Subsidizing fuel prices as promised by the President to alleviate the economic burden on industries, particularly the fishing sector, caused by rising fuel costs.
- Fulfilling the President’s pledge to reform the composition of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to ensure the independence of the judiciary.
- Removing the current heads of the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Elections Commission and appointing capable individuals who can maintain the independence and integrity of these institutions.
- Controlling inflation and the cost of basic services, prioritizing the reduction of state expenditure and waste, and providing the public with transparent and accurate information regarding the current economic situation.
- Establishing a special committee including political parties and civil society organizations to determine necessary constitutional reforms, and ensuring no constitutional changes are made without the committee’s consultation.
- Immediately halting projects conducted without proper environmental impact assessments, given that the Maldives' fragile environment is a national heritage to be protected for future generations. This includes reviewing permits issued without regard for EIA reports, reversing administrative changes that undermine the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and restoring full legal authority to the agency.
During the press conference, MDP’s interim Chairperson, Abdul Ghafoor Moosa, called for President Mohamed Muizzu’s resignation.
