President Muizzu was not elected to carve up the nation’s territory and hand it over to foreign entities at his whim: Mauroof

The Member of Parliament for the Kendhoo constituency, Mauroof Zakir, has stated that the public did not elect President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to office to allow him to carve out portions of the country and hand them over to foreigners at his discretion.

Speaking at an emergency rally titled "Dhivehinge Bin Dhivehinnah" on Tuesday night, Mauroof stated that the public elected President Muizzu to lead the nation for a fixed five-year term.

Mauroof stated that the presidency was secured through numerous pledges made to the public. He noted that the people cast their votes in expectation of good governance, following promises to address housing needs and other essential public requirements. However, Mauroof asserted that once the people's trust has been earned and the position secured, he will not allow any opportunity for the public to be betrayed.

No citizen wishes for land reclaimed using public funds to be leased to foreign entities without the people's consent. This is especially true when it involves those who support the Zionist cause. The bill currently before Parliament fails to prevent Zionist settlement in these areas. Despite claims that Israelis will be barred from entering or residing there, the legislation is still structured in a way that allows Zionists to maintain a presence.

Mauroof Zakir

Mauroof stated that if President Muizzu had declared during the presidential election that he intended to reclaim that land only to hand it over to foreign interests and Zionist supporters of Israel, he would not have received a single vote. Mauroof further noted that the President’s initial pledge was to provide housing plots to the citizens from that land, a promise he is now accused of betraying.

Furthermore, Mauroof stated that although the President claimed Israeli settlers would not be permitted to reside on that land, the current Parliament has demonstrated a tendency to amend laws at its own discretion.

The current rubber-stamp parliament is positioned such that it can amend the law at any given moment. This is a legislature ready to carry out any action as long as President Muizzu commands it. Therefore, I am asserting that the Maldivian people must not allow a deal of this magnitude to be finalized without first being consulted.

Mauroof Zakir

Mauroof stated that President Muizzu must listen to the voices of the people today, as it is the citizens who provide for his salary, budget, and security, along with all other state provisions. Furthermore, Mauroof emphasized that President Muizzu was not elected to handle the public budget and state finances as he pleases. He added that the President was not mandated to arbitrarily carve up and hand over parts of the country to foreign entities at his own discretion.