Opposition calls to publicize findings of presidential commissions

The opposition coalition has called to publicize the findings of the presidential commissions.

Officials from the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People’s National Congress (PNC) held a press conference on Friday.

There, PNC leader Abdul Raheem Abdulla noted that the incumbent president has stated that commissions have made progress in the cases that are being investigated, and called to publicize these findings.

He further called to expedite the arrest of those suspected of being involved in the crimes.

However, the former Fonadhoo constituency MP -who lost his bid for reelection in April- said that he does not believe that the presidential commissions’ decisions will be just.

He said that the reason for this “is the manner in which members were appointed” to the commissions, adding that appointed are “[party] activists.”

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih formed two commissions on his first day in office; Commission on Murders and Enforced Disappearances and Commission on Corruption and Asset Recovery. They are also investigating allegations against opposition leader, former President Abdulla Yameen, who has been charged with corruption over the biggest embezzlement case in the country’s history.

In addition, Raheem claimed that the current government “has yet to do anything for the country despite being in power for eight months.”

While the parliament recently approved to sign a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with India, Raheem also criticized.

He claimed that the country will lose its sovereignty due to this treaty.

However, government officials -including President Solih- have assured that this treaty will not affect the Maldives’ sovereignty or the rights of the people. Furthermore, during a press conference held earlier this month, the president revealed that the work to sign the treaty had commenced by his successor and that his administration was merely completing the process.

Also at Friday’s press conference, PNC’s deputy leader Ibrahim Sujau said that opposition’s activities will commence across the country “starting from August.”

He said that the coalition will launch its campaign for next year’s Local Council Elections then, adding that former President Yameen will kick things off from Haa Alifu atoll.