Opposition lawmaker Mohamed Ameeth, who was until earlier this year aligned with the ruling party, has said that President Abdulla Yameen had pledged to have a harbour built in his constituency, a promise that has rung hollow despite having funds allocated for it.

At an interview with RaajjeMV on Friday night, Ameeth alleged that the administration had in 2014 vowed to have a harbour built in Maduvvari island of Raa Atoll, and funds for the project were allocated in the state budget for 2015.

While Ameeth said that the funds were seized, he had not elaborated as to why it was done and why the harbour had not been built.

Ameeth said that pledges early during the incumbent President Yameen’s term had convinced parliamentarians to support him, which allowed the administration to have a total of 15 parliamentarians publicly declare support for the ruling party.

“But I was not elected by President Yameen, I was elected by my constituents who voted for my party. The Progressive Party of Maldives, with which I am standing alongside even today” Ameeth said.

The ruling party has been divided into two factions since 2016, with one loyal to President Yameen and the other loyal to party leader and former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who signed a coalition agreement with other opposition parties in March this year.

He further spoke to condemned the alleged crackdown against opposition parliamentarians, saying that to rob citizens of their right to be represented in parliament by ‘prosecuting their elected representatives’ is entirely detestable.