One of the most glaring characteristics of the previous administration under former President Abdulla Yameen’s government was injustice, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said.
Speaking at a campaign event at Dhaalu Rinbudhoo, President Solih, who is seeking re-election, said the past five years have brought peace and stability to the Maldives. He said the injustices that plagued the previous government no longer exist.
"The [previous administration's] practice was to arrest and detain anyone who disagreed with the government's views. Freedom of the press was compromised, the courts were stifled, and the Parliament was locked down. This is what we witnessed," he said.
Highlighting the achievements of the current administration, President Solih noted that no students had received state sponsorship for their degree education during the previous regime. However, a staggering 18,000 students are enrolled in the current government's tuition-free degree program, he said.
The President highlighted some of the achievements of the current government and said no students' degrees were sponsored by the state in the previous administration. However, 18,000 students have now participated in the current government's free degree program, he said.
The president recounted that the government took very strong and wise measures during the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to giving allowances and electricity subsidies to those who had to face unemployment, measures were taken to prevent hikes in electricity and fuel prices, he said. He attributed the country's current standing to the strong measures taken then.
"Otherwise, we would be grappling with turmoil, unrest, and scarcity today," he said.
The President further said he was pleased that the Maldives was among one of the fastest-growing economies in the world due to the measures taken during the pandemic. He emphasized that the Maldives had been identified as the fastest-growing economy in the region.
Looking back at earlier forecasts by some politicians who expected the Maldives to face economic problems due to pandemic-related actions, including predictions of higher prices and shortages, the president mentioned that, in reality, goods are now the most reasonably priced in the Maldives compared to neighboring areas.
"Inflation was forecast at 5.4 percent this year, but the current inflation rate stands at 3.2 percent," he said.
The president further said he had done extensive work in his five years in office to ensure public satisfaction. He affirmed that the government will continue to provide services to the people without discrimination despite the small populations in the islands.
"This harbor, this water and sewerage system - these developments are not things people living on such a small island would have expected to receive. However, this government is working to establish water and sewerage in all islands of Maldives, leaving no room for bias," said the president, in reference to the development brought to Rinbudhoo over the last five years.
