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Lack of support 'pushed' President to seek foreign companionship

A deposed parliamentarian has criticized incumbent president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom for his vigorous attempts to strike chords with foreign countries and insisted he seeks foreign companionship due to lack of support from his countrymen.

Mohamed Ameeth who held the parliament seat of Maduvvari constituency directed his harsh comments on the current president during an opposition rally at Faafu atoll Magoodhoo on Saturday night.

Ameeth had accused of thrusting Maldives towards foreign influence and also explained the current president's motive behind seeking support of stronger foreign countries came due to the lack of support from his own citizens - pitting Yameen without room for options.

He had also criticized the free trade agreement (FTA) and said he opposes the arrangement due to parliament's unlawful conduct of approving it while the FTA stands to dreadfully relinquish several businesses of their other foreign ties and investments as China would gain a trade upper-hand in establishing their supply and demand businesses due to tariff less import.

The FTA between Maldives and China cites that Chinese corporations and consumer businesses can establish a non-tariff based import channel allowing them to sell merchandise at lower markups compared to several local businesses; ousting them from trading.