President Abdulla Yameen has said that there is ‘no difference between the events that transpired in Maldives on 3rd November 1988 and this February’, claiming that individuals had attempted to ‘sell’ the country’s freedom for a few million dollars.
The president made the statement while speaking at a ceremony to mark the 126th anniversary of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) on Wednesday night, where he applauded and thanked the military officers for their courage and perseverance in not enforcing the Supreme Court ruling issued on 1st February.
He also questioned on who would have benefited the most had the February 1 ‘attack’ been successful, as well as who has been most ‘disappointed and troubled’ that it failed.
Furthermore, the president emphasized that the lesson learnt from that day is ‘high positions and honour does not ensure a person’s loyalty to the nation’.
“Those that sold the country’s independence and honour on 1st February include those that are in the most trusted positions”, said the President.
Noting that the events that took place in November 1988 and February this year should be used as a lesson, President Yameen said that the cause of this must be investigated.
He ended Wednesday nights’ speech by reminding the military that it is their responsibility ‘to ensure the safety of the state from those that are against it’.
Earlier in April, the President told the military has to 'defend the country from those greedy for power'. He also spoke at the 85th anniversary of the Maldives Police Service on 18th April, and told officers that they are there to protect the government ‘no matter the orders given to them’.
