This is an English translation of Leevan Ali Nasir's report for Adhadhu.
Despite winning hearts during the presidential campaign with eloquent promises to "eliminate politicised job dismissals," a starkly different reality is emerging as President Mohamed Muizzu’s popularity wanes and opposition activities intensify. The current landscape is defined by a chilling culture of employee suspensions, dismissals, and retaliatory transfers to remote islands.
During the presidential race, one of Muizzu’s most prominent pledges was that no Maldivian citizen would be threatened with dismissals under his administration. He assured the public that no employee would be terminated due to differing political ideologies, promising that his actions would mirror his words.
At a rally in Shaviyani Funadhoo, he said there would be "no fear for jobs," even praising a young person for participating in political activities without intimidation. Speaking in Shaviyani Goidhoo and Baa Dharavandhoo, he further pledged to provide employment to anyone dismissed by the previous government and vowed never to let any citizen suffer such a fate.
When a video surfaced during the parliamentary elections showing a PPM/PNC activist suggesting that "action must be taken" against employees who did not support government candidates, Muizzu dismissed it, asserting, "That is absolutely not our policy."
However, as the government’s popularity declines and opposition movements gain momentum, the President appears to have abandoned the assurances and hopes he offered during the campaign.
The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) claims the government has revived a "culture of fear," with state-owned enterprises suspending, dismissing, and transferring staff to distant islands without regard for laws, regulations, or established procedures.
Following a visit by former President Mohamed Nasheed to Gaafu Alif Atoll for the MDP Chairperson’s campaign, three employees from Villingili and four from Maamendhoo were suspended after welcoming him. Among those penalized was the husband of a woman who sang for Nasheed in Maamendhoo.
At an MDP National Council meeting last night, former Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail revealed that an employee of a state-owned company in Gaaf Dhaal Faresmaathoda was transferred to Haa Alif Baarah—at the northernmost tip of the country—as an act of political harassment.
Ahmed Gais, the MDP President for Thinadhoo City, reported that one MTCC employee and three WAMCO employees were dismissed from Thinadhoo after participating in MDP campaign activities.
While an email sent to the terminated MTCC employee cited "project suspension" as the reason, Gais noted that the project in question—an industrial area development started under the MDP administration—remains ongoing. He alleged that only the individual who supported Nasheed was singled out for dismissal.
"Out of everyone, they only found it necessary to terminate the one person who stood in line to support President Nasheed," Gais remarked.
In Naifaru, Abdulla Rasheed, the MDP constituency president, reported that one MTCC employee was dismissed and four others were suspended simply for joining a line to greet Nasheed during his visit.
Abdulla Sodiq (Sobe), the MDP candidate who recently won the Hithadhoo North by-election, revealed that 10 individuals, including his family members and friends who participated in his campaign, have been dismissed from various state-owned enterprises.
Sodiq alleged that while companies claim these terminations are cost-cutting measures, there are still individuals on the payroll who receive salaries without even reporting to work.
In another instance, Ahmed Zuhair, the Director of the Maldives Transportation Safety Board, was removed from his post after a photo of him with Sodiq surfaced. To facilitate his removal, the government dissolved his entire position.
Protests to begin
Sodiq believes that the situation has escalated beyond what the legal system alone can resolve. He has called on the public to join nationwide protests organized by the MDP to restore order and fairness.
The MDP National Council passed a resolution last night to hold protests this Thursday to pressure the Muizzu administration to stop its unlawful actions.
MDP President Abdulla Shahid remarked that such behavior is typical of a government that has run out of options and is facing defeat. He argued that silencing the public, making arrests, and using job termination as a tool of intimidation are clear signs of a failing administration.
"The MDP will not bow down to such tactics," Shahid warned the government.
Citing the dismissals across Huvadhu Atoll, Gais called for the entire region to rise up against what he described as a "predatory government" that has lost its popular mandate.
While Muizzu once championed the right of every employee to engage in political activity, the current reality reflects a systematic use of administrative power for political retribution. Regardless of which administration is in power, the consensus remains that such intimidation must come to an end.
