Former Maldivian Democratic Party chairperson Fayyaz Ismail has said the Maldives is experiencing its most severe economic and social damage in recent history during the current presidential term.
Speaking at a campaign event in Haa Alif Dhidhdhoo, Fayyaz stated that the economy has effectively regressed by 20 to 30 years. “The current five-year term is a period when the Maldives is experiencing its most severe economic and social damage in recent history. Our economy has essentially slipped back by 20 or 30 years. We will see the impact of this unfold over the coming days, months and years,” he said.
Fayyaz, who has announced his candidacy for the MDP presidential primary, linked the remarks to the party’s “Big Change” proposals. He said one objective of those reforms was to ensure that whoever holds the presidency does not treat the country as personal property and that the Constitution cannot be amended against the will of the people.
He added that the elected leader must always remain a servant of the public. The comments form part of ongoing campaign activity ahead of the party’s internal selection process.