President Abdulla Yameen has asked the public not to criticize former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, his half-brother.

In a speech in R. Dhuvaafaru on Tuesday, President Yameen asked that no one say anything against Maumoon in his presence.

“President Maumoon developed the nation. President Maumoon also developed Dhuvaafaru. President Maumoon developed the economic, social, and educational sector to unseen heights.”

President Yameen said this in response to a speech made by environment minister Thoriq Ibrahim, who said that former President Mohamed Nasheed during his administration failed to investigate the corruption in Maumoon’s government and that Maumoon had failed to develop the nation.

In his speech, President Yameen said that what minister Thoriq meant was that the citizens’ expectations have risen since Maumoon’s rule and that Yameen was meeting those expectations.

President Yameen’s government arrested and jailed former President Maumoon after declaring a state of emergency on February 5. He is now serving a prison sentence of one year and seven months for refusing to hand over his mobile phone to the police.