President Muizzu calls for the spirit and pulse of Maldivian nationalism to be preserved in the heart of every citizen

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has called on the Maldivian people to stand against discord and incitement that could bring harm to the nation and its citizens.

In a post shared on X to mark the Maldives' National Day, President Muizzu stated that as the sun rises on this auspicious occasion, our memories return to a period 467 years ago. He reflected on the triumphant and invaluable struggle of the courageous heroes who liberated this nation from the oppressive colonial yoke of the Portuguese, then known as the "Hawks of the Sea."

President Muizzu further stated that historical evidence shows every instance of the Maldives falling under foreign influence was caused by the betrayal of a self-interested group that lacked any goodwill toward the nation. He emphasized that today, we must firmly renew our resolve to ensure such bitter experiences are never repeated.

"Shall we be the ones who uphold this nation's sovereignty, independence, and identity, and stand against the discords that could bring distress to our country and its people?" President Muizzu stated in his post.

President Muizzu has called upon the public to uphold the motto of "Nation First" and to ensure that the pulse and spirit of Maldivian nationalism remain steadfast in the heart of every citizen.

While President Muizzu has called on citizens to prioritize the nation above all else and prevent any actions that could undermine the country, he himself provided testimony in a foreign court against the Maldivian state in favor of a foreign company prior to assuming office. This testimony resulted in the state being mandated to pay a substantial sum of money to the company.

In this regard, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, who previously served as the Housing Minister, provided testimony in 2019 at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands, in support of Noomadi Resorts and Residences in their arbitration case against the Maldivian state. He was subsequently charged with perjury, following allegations that he provided false testimony that contradicted the official policies he had implemented during his tenure as Minister.

During Muizzu's tenure as Housing Minister, the Noomadi company filed a lawsuit against the Maldivian government seeking $155 million in damages. This legal action followed the cancellation of project agreements originally established with the company during President Mohamed Nasheed's administration.

Following his departure from the ministerial post, Dr. Muizzu provided testimony on behalf of Noomadi in June 2019. In his statement, he asserted that Noomadi had carried out the projects according to schedule and that the agreements had been wrongfully terminated.

Senior government officials stated that Dr. Muizzu’s testimony weakened the state's legal defense. As a result, the government was compelled to settle the matter out of court and pay $55 million in damages to Noomadi.