Employees of companies that supported my campaign are being dismissed from their jobs: MP Sodiq

Member of Parliament Abdulla Sodiq has alleged that individuals who worked on his campaign for the North Hithadhoo constituency by-election are being dismissed from their jobs. According to Sodiq, those being terminated include members of the MDP, independent supporters, and even members of the ruling PNC who had backed his candidacy.

Speaking at a press conference held by the MDP on Thursday, MP Sodiq stated that while terminating employees through established procedures to streamline State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) expenditures is acceptable, the current reality suggests otherwise. He noted that the individuals being dismissed are predominantly MDP members or those who were active in the recent local council elections, the North Hithadhoo by-election, and the MDP chairperson election.

Noting that the Addu power station is Fenaka’s highest revenue-generating facility, Sodiq stated that it also previously held the largest workforce. He highlighted that among those dismissed were highly experienced staff, including individuals who had served at the station for more than 15 years.

Highly experienced professionals who are virtually irreplaceable in their fields have been dismissed, only for some to be later reinstated. However, more than 150 individuals have been terminated in Addu alone. This has become a significant challenge for me; the dismissal of MDP members and those who actively supported the party's election efforts is simply unacceptable.

Abdullah Sodiq (Sobe)

MP Sodiq stated that the dismissal of employees from Fenaka, WAMCO, Hithadhoo Ports Limited, and other State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) who participated in his campaign was a significant challenge he faced.

Furthermore, during the press conference, MP Sodiq addressed the amendments being proposed by President Muizzu's administration to the Decentralization Act.

Looking at the amendments introduced by the current administration since the start of this term and the commencement of the 20th Parliament, I see a repeat of the pattern observed after the MDP government was ousted in 2012. They have begun tampering with the Decentralization Act just as they did back then, systematically stripping away powers one by one. This trajectory mirrors the events of 2015, when the law was ultimately amended to mandate that the powers and responsibilities of city councils would be determined solely by the President.

Abdullah Sodiq (Sobe)

MP Sodiq stated that the PPM-PNC coalition does not believe in a decentralized system of governance for the Maldives. He further noted that, under the guise of reform, changes are being introduced to centralize powers, undermining the positive provisions currently established in the Decentralization Act.

MP Sodiq stated that no council would obstruct the development projects desired by their constituents. He further asserted that the proposed amendment allowing for the seizure of council lands is intended to undermine the councils' ability to become self-reliant.