- Individuals funding terror missions have to be found
- Individuals who speak out about this cannot be penalized
- Government has to be sincere in effort to resolve issue
Hinnavaru Constituency MP and opposition MDP Parliamentary Group Leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (Ibu) has called on a review of the ways the cash from MMPRC embezzlement was used, stating that the Government has to ensure the cash was not used to fund those Maldivians leaving to join various civil conflicts and known terror groups.
Speaking in the debate session of the Parliament today, Ibu criticized the Government policy on terrorism and religious extremism. He said the policy squared the blame on those leaving to join the conflicts and those individuals who talk about the said jihadis. Ibu noted the policy had completely neglected to highlight on those individuals who finance these moves.
He said taking action on the people who talk about the issue would not address the core issue.
"We have to talk about this. We have to talk about why Maldivians are going to other countries and blowing themselves up. MMPRC embezzlement was a huge issue. We have to question if the cash from the Corporation was used to fund these Maldivians. Who had sent which individual. We have to address these issues now, if we are to ever resolve this," Ibu said.
Ibu said the issue of Maldivians leaving for civil conflicts had far reaching consequences to the Maldivian society. He noted that this impacted families, children and the wives left behind. Ibu said this was not a political issue but one that needed to be addressed at a national level. He urged all MPs and Government officials to cooperate on the issue, adding that if the Government is sincere he will fully support all decisions. He also said the President needed to give full details on what he planned to do to address the issue of extremism.
