Nishan: Government resorts to legal threats as Muizzu fails to deliver on pledges

Legal counsel Mohamed Nishan Ibrahim has stated that while President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu pledged to resolve every issue, his inability to fulfill those promises has led him to resort to intimidating the public through the display of legal force.

Speaking on RaajjeTV’s "Fala Surukhee" program, Nishan stated that regardless of the issue at hand, it is evident the current administration lacks the necessary expertise to resolve the challenges facing the country.

Nishan stated that since President Muizzu took office, the value of the dollar has surged to uncontrollable levels. He attributed this escalation to the administration's lack of a clear economic policy and the President's inability to effectively manage the government.

Nishan stated that although the current administration pledged to increase the dollar limits for Hajj pilgrims, students studying abroad, and all citizens traveling overseas, no one has been able to access foreign currency since the limits were purportedly raised.

Nishan noted that the situation has deteriorated to the point where citizens are forced to argue even to obtain the $500 allowance previously available. He stated that although the President had promised the public a solution to this issue, the lack of progress led to the decision that the dollar shortage must now be addressed through legislative reforms.

Nishan highlighted that the government has decided to resort to intimidation by using the force of law against the public regarding the dollar crisis.

President Muizzu initially introduced various regulations and policies aimed at resolving the dollar shortage and increasing foreign currency inflow into the Maldives. The first such regulation mandated that tourism establishments exchange $500 per tourist. This policy came into effect on the 16th of a 30-day month, leaving 14 days remaining in that period. Records indicate that $33 million was generated within those 14 days. Where is this money? Where are these funds going? The government must be held accountable for this. If $33 million was generated through these exchanges in just 14 days, one must ask how much is being collected on a monthly basis.

Nishan Ibrahim

Nishan stated that the government is continuously attempting to intimidate and control the public through criminal prosecution, not only regarding the dollar issue but also in relation to cigarettes and various other matters. He noted that this pattern of using legislation as a tool for intimidation has become a persistent strategy of the current administration. He further remarked that while citizens are currently forced to beg for their most basic needs, the government continues to deceive the public and work towards their further marginalization in every possible respect.