Azim: Maldives must end culture of debt and dependency, and transform into a nation that provides aid to others
24 އޮކްޓޯބަރު 2026 | ހޮނިހިރު 11:32Male' City Mayor Adam Azim stated that the Maldives must end its culture of debt reliance to transform into a financially empowered nation capable of assisting other countries. Emphasizing that the primary goal is to ensure seamless public service delivery, Azim expressed confidence that his extensive institutional leadership experience would contribute to driving national economic growth.
Male' City Mayor Adam Azim delivers his remarks during a rally held in Hulhumale' on Friday night. | RaajjeMV
Male' City Mayor Adam Azim has stated that the Maldives must end its culture of relying on foreign loans and begging for assistance, and instead transform into a nation that provides aid to others.
Azim made these remarks while speaking at a campaign rally held in Hulhumale' on Friday night. He was appearing alongside former Vice President Faisal Naseem, who has announced his intention to contest the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) primary for the upcoming 2028 presidential election, with Azim serving as his running mate.
Azim stated that their pursuit of governance is not intended to consolidate personal power, but rather to empower the people and ensure a future where citizens no longer have to plead for their rights.
Our objective is not to consolidate power for ourselves. We are here to empower the people and to usher in an era where citizens no longer have to plead for their basic rights. Our citizens should not have to approach us to complain about the lack of medicine or the unavailability of doctors. Furthermore, the people should not be expected to remain in a constant state of subservience, perpetually expressing gratitude to the President.Adam Azim
Speaking on the Maldives' financial situation, Azim stated that he does not wish to see a government that relies on begging other nations for funds. He emphasized that the Maldives must maintain a robust reserve, similar to countries like Singapore. He further noted the need to shift away from the mindset of celebrating and applauding whenever a loan or aid is secured from another country.
We have always been conditioned to applaud whenever a foreign nation grants us a loan or provides us with aid. But why have we never been able to say, "We have provided assistance to another country, so let us celebrate"? Is that not the reality we should strive for? We seem to perceive it as a great achievement to constantly seek out loans and plead for assistance from every possible source. We have spent our entire lives trapped in this cycle.Adam Azim
Azim highlighted that his past leadership in state institutions proves such positive transformations are achievable. He noted that when he took over MTCC, the company was operating at a loss; however, within just three years, he successfully restructured its debts and turned it into a profitable enterprise. He further stated that the company's revenue grew from one billion to three billion rufiyaa during his tenure, asserting there is no reason why similar progress cannot be achieved for the nation.
Furthermore, Azim stated that although the Male' City Council had lacked its own dedicated office building for the past 15 years, they have now successfully established one using funds from the allocated budget since he took office. He noted that 80 million Rufiyaa had been saved and set aside from those funds; however, 72 million Rufiyaa of that amount has now been withdrawn.
