MDA Leader Siyam calls on government to facilitate completion of leased islands

Leader of Maldives Development Alliance (MDA), Meedhoo MP Ahmed Siyam has called on the government to facilitate ways to complete the development of uninhabited islands that have been leased to private groups, and to not lease more islands to groups as done by the previous government.

Siyam made this remark while speaking at a rally at the Carnival area on Sunday night, held to celebrate the victory of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) in the presidential election.

“Dear President! We should try to restore the value of our islands. This can’t be done if you continue to lease islands anyone and everyone. The value of the islands will continue to fall. Foreigners would not want to invest in the Maldives. Please facilitate ways to complete development of islands that have been leased, and if this is not possible, allow people who can complete them to do so, and don’s lease the remaining islands,” he said.

Siyam further said that PPM won the election not by competing with another political party, but by fighting with the entire international community.

“We had to fight with the whole world to win the presidential election. The EU, made up of 30 countries, the Commonwealth, our neighbouring countries, and several organisations were against us. Even the UN was working 24 hours to make sure that we lose the election,” he said.

Siyam also mentioned the projects mentioned in the PPM manifesto that are already under way, and others that will begin soon.

He said that President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom will be more compassionate and generous towards the youth and women, than any other Maldivian president.