Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has thanked cabinet ministers of Jumhooree Party (JP) for vowing to support the government.

At a press conference on Monday, MDP’s deputy secretary general Afshan Latheef said that they were happy to hear that ministers Ali Waheed and Dr. Hussain Rasheed Hassan have come out in defense of the government.

Tourism Minister Ali Waheed has said that he stands by the nation and President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s government and is not willing to leave the ruling coalition for the opposition.

Minister of Environment and Energy Dr. Hassan has also said that he will defend the government and that no true JP member will vote for an opposition candidate in the parliamentary election.

This comes after JP leader Qasim Ibrahim said that his party will be backing parliamentary candidates fielded by the opposition coalition.

President Solih’s cabinet consists of five JP members and some of them have come out against party leader Qasim’s decision.