Government is strangling the people and leaving them destitute: Ameeth

Former Maduvvari MP Mohamed Ameeth has criticized President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration, accusing the government of "strangling" the public and leaving them destitute.

Speaking on RaajjeTV’s "Fala Surukhee" program, Ameeth stated that President Muizzu had pledged prior to assuming office that no employees would be dismissed from their positions. However, Ameeth noted that numerous individuals were terminated from their jobs even during the recent month of Ramadan.

Ameeth stated that when individuals are unfairly dismissed from their jobs, it is not only the employees who suffer; the consequences extend to their families and innocent children, who are forced to endure the resulting hardships.

Government officials have been stating that the ongoing dismissals are part of an effort to reduce the number of jobs. Highlighting this issue, Ameeth noted that the number of individuals being appointed to high-level government positions is increasing at a higher rate than those being terminated from entry-level roles.

They claim that our people are being dismissed from their jobs as a measure to reduce the workforce. However, the number of new recruits is far exceeding the number of those being terminated. These new appointments include positions at the level of ministers, state ministers, and managing directors. These are roles that command salaries ranging from thirty thousand, forty thousand, to sixty thousand.

Mohamed Ameeth

Highlighting that the Constitution stipulates all state powers originate from and are sustained by the people, Ameeth stated that the government is currently infringing upon public rights, necessitating a move toward protest. He further noted that if the people fail to exercise the power they hold, it grants an authoritarian administration the opportunity to further its autocracy.

Ameeth stated that the MDP will take all necessary measures to protect the rights of individuals being dismissed from their jobs for political reasons.

The solution I propose for this issue is for those being dismissed from their jobs to take to the streets in protest. When rights are being stripped away, the most fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution is the right to protest. Once the people rise up in protest, there is nothing the government can do. The Constitution states very clearly that all powers of the state are derived from the people and are maintained by the people. Therefore, if the citizens do not exercise the power they hold, it creates an opportunity for an authoritarian ruler to further entrench their autocracy.

Mohamed Ameeth

Ameeth stated that what is currently being witnessed is a government lacking any clear policy, appearing entirely unsure of how to resolve the issues facing the nation.

President Muizzu assumed office with a pledge that no individual would be unjustly dismissed from their position for political reasons. However, there has been a recent surge in unfair dismissals, particularly targeting numerous employees affiliated with the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

On Saturday alone, numerous employees of state-owned enterprises were unfairly dismissed from their positions in both Kolamaafushi and Fuvahmulah.