President Muizzu's actions have turned being a Maldivian citizen into a joke: Thazmeel

The former Managing Director of MTDC, Thazmeel Abdul Samad, has stated that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s actions have reached a point where being a Maldivian citizen feels like a self-inflicted joke.

Speaking on RaajjeTV’s "Fala Surukhee" program, Thazmeel stated that if an administration lacks the competence to govern, the most honorable and humane course of action is to step aside and hand over power to those capable of doing so. He further noted that he has never before witnessed a leader conclude a term after misleading the public to such an extent and failing so profoundly to fulfill their pledged commitments.

If you lack the capacity to govern a state, the most honorable human example is to step aside gracefully and hand over the responsibilities to those capable of fulfilling them. By following such an example throughout one's life, wouldn't one earn far greater public trust? Today, the people are mocking those in power; while we once took pride in identifying ourselves as Maldivian citizens, we now feel like a joke to ourselves. We have never witnessed a President who has misled and manipulated the public to this extent, nor one who has reached the end of a term without fulfilling a single promise made to the people.

Thazmeel Abdul Samad

Reflecting on Male's development, Thazmeel stated that apart from the outer ring road spanning from Nasandhura to MPL, there are no visible signs of progress, noting that even that project was executed by MTCC. He further highlighted that despite the passage of substantial budgets, payments owed to small companies contracted by the government remain withheld and unpaid.

Furthermore, Thazmeel highlighted that small businesses have between five and seven million rufiyaa in outstanding payments currently stalled within the government system, noting that some payments have remained unsettled for one to two years. He pointed out that despite these delays, these companies continue to receive regular automated tax demand notices from the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA).

Furthermore, Thazmeel stated that the current priority should not be the procurement of a dredger from the Netherlands, but rather addressing the essential needs of ordinary citizens and small businesses. He also noted that the government's top-down policy approach is causing the living conditions of everyday people to deteriorate day by day.