Ruling Progressive Party of Maldives' (PPM) deputy leader and Fonadhoo MP Abdul Raheem Abdullah has criticized opposition's presidential candidate and running-mate over their lack of political experience.
According to the lawmaker there is visible contrasting differences with regards to experience and knowledge between ruling party's presidential candidate and running-mate and their opposition counterparts.
While speaking during an interview from state run Public Service Media (PSM) Abdul Raheem Abdullah had stated people will assess their candidates based on political experience, knowledge, integrity, services and discipline when choosing to vote.
PPM's deputy leader had praised the party's presidential candidate Abdulla Yameen; who is expecting a re-election to top-office, as the ideal candidate with governing prowess, experience and knowledge.
"President Yameen had been the country's trade minister for 14 years, he has been the higher education as well as tourism minister in his career while he has been a lawmaker for nearly 20 years. He is well acknowledged on Maldives Constitution, he is apt in managing local corporations. State Trading Organization (STO), State Electric Company (STELCO) and Island Aviation are notable achievements under his belt," Abdul Raheem said.
While he was all praise towards ruling party's presidential candidate, Abdul Raheem was severely critical towards the opposition coalition's candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
According to the lawmaker Solih lacked the necessary experience in governing a nation and he was considerably less educated compared to president Abdulla Yameen.
Abdul Raheem also recounted the past experience of choosing a lesser experienced presidential candidate and its following consequences; he was indirectly hinting towards MDP's Mohamed Nasheed.
Regarded currently as one of the prominent lawmakers, Abdul Raheem had further commented on the contrasting differences between ruling party's running-mate and his opposition counterpart.
Abdul Raheem praised Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed's academic background, discipline and noted he is an outspoken religious cleric who has garnered the respect and affection of Maldives public. The lawmaker criticized opposition's running-mate Faisal Naseem, stating the JP aligned lawmaker lacked all these qualities.
The ruling party's deputy leader had claimed voting in 2018 presidential election will be easy given the comparative differences on both ends. According to Abdul Raheem the public will choose president Yameen for a second term.
In his interview Abdul Raheem noted the country's religious salvation and social harmony will be destroyed by opposition MDP if they come to power.
