Former President Maumoon has fired the latest rounds against Fisheries Minister Dr. Mohamed Shainee, in the war of words between the Govenrment and the opposition.
Dr. Shainee, on Saturday, said that even ex-Presidents cannot hide behind law or defy court orders and laws. He questioned if law 2/2009 allowed the former President to call for a coup.
'No one is above the law. Time to realize “Ex”,' he wrote at the end of the tweet.
Even Ex-Presidents cannot hide behind the law or defy court orders n laws. Does law 2/2009 allow your Excellency to call for a coup as well? No one is above the law. Time to realize “Ex”.
— Mohamed Shainee (@mshainee) January 28, 2018
However, the law Minister Shainee quoted in the tweet is. in fact, incorrect. The Privileges to Former President’s Act is titled 09/2009.
Noting this, President Maumoon responded that individuals need to fact check, 'at least to avoid embarrassment.' Stating that he never said law 2/2009, the former President said he had 'never called to act outside the law' and advised those indivuduals to 'know your facts'.
I wonder why some people who enjoy attacking me do so without checking facts, at least to avoid embarrassment. I never said Law 2/2009 but 9/2009. Further I never called to act outside the law. Our Constitution explains in black & white how to change a regime! Know your facts! pic.twitter.com/ucA0T9dYGo
— Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (@maumoonagayoom) January 28, 2018
Law 09/2009 clearly states that all former Presidents and their spouses will be accorded protection by Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF). The former President, in his previous tweet had questioned the arbitrary searches and exposing him and his wife to possible harm, in direct violation of the said law.