Addressing students of Princeton University as part of his recent trip to the states to attend the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79), President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu stated that Maldives has 1,100 islands. Of this, he initially said that 200 are inhabited and later changed the number to 186.

According to the latest statistics from the statistical authority, there are 1,192 islands in the Maldives. Of these, 187 are inhabited.

Now the question arises; isn't it similar to a parent not knowing how many children they have, for a country’s leader to be unaware of how many islands his nation has?

It is indeed a significant issue for the highest official of a country, to incorrectly state the number of islands in the Maldives to students at one of the world's most renowned universities, while representing the country.

Another thing that has caught our attention were the president’s remarks regarding Ras Malé, where he stated that Ras Malé is the “second artificial island” in the Maldives, by reclaiming a lagoon. Many examples are not needed here. It would be enough to mention Thilafushi, Gulhifalhu and Giraavaru Falhu. Or even listing the number of resorts made by reclaiming lagoons. We can’t decide if the president was lying or if he was simply uninformed.

The president is also to have boasted about the Israeli passport issue being stuck at the People’s Majlis during his visit to the university. The truth is that the passport issue hasn't progressed because President Muizzu himself wants it that way, as made clear in the Princeton interview.

The president also shed the spotlight on some other points like the issue of the controversial “India Out!” campaign. He claimed that it was not really an “India Out!” campaign. These remarks were made by someone who has openly participated in anti-India protests wearing T-shirts with 'India Out' printed on them, and who had told former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe that it was a power grab. However, he is now openly claiming that it wasn’t truly an 'India Out' campaign. In connection with the issue, there were two deputy ministers who were getting fully paid while staying at home after being dragged for derogatory remarks targeted at the Prime Minister of India. When questioned if their resignations were related to the planned trip to India, the Maldivian leader asserted that no one could say that, and that he had taken action on the matter. However, the people know that he did not take any action at first. He didn’t even say anything. He only suspended the deputy ministers after facing immense criticism and pressure. During suspension, the deputy ministers were entitled to their full salaries for seven months without doing any work.

Muizzu also stated that not all islands in the Maldives can be developed. This contradicts his campaign promises where he visited islands and vowed to develop all islands without discrimination. It's a slap in the face for the citizens residing in small islands who elected him.

This makes us wonder if the president of the Maldives, really knows his country.