PPM manifesto to be based on people

Former President and Interim President of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has said that PPM’s election manifesto will be produced soon, and that it will be based on people’s ideas which will result from discussion.

At a function held at Artificial Beach last night, Gayoom said that PPM wants to win the 2012 election not for PPM’s thirst for power, but for the benefit of the Maldivian people.

Gayoom also said that PPM will not dwell on the past and talk about what had happened before; PPM would be a party to think about the future and plan for what’s ahead.

“The manifesto will be revealed to the public soon. Necessary changes will be made after discussion with the people, following which it will be established as our election manifesto,” Gayoom said.

Referring to MDP’s obstruction to President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik’s delivery of the presidential address at seventeenth opening session of the Parliament held last Monday, Gayoom said that that was an historical event. He praised President Dr Waheed for the resoluteness and courage he showed that day.

“We witnessed an historic even on the 19th of this month, which was the opening session of the Parliament for this year. I thank President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik for opening the Parliament on 19 March,” he said.

Gayoom referred to the day the government changed and thanked the police and defence forces for upholding the constitution. He urged them to remain committed in their services.

“The Maldivian people worked extremely hard to hold the government accountable for its actions when it began robbing people of their rights and acting against the constitution. I am pleased to say that PPM played a big part in this. I also thank the police and defence forces for their sincere services to the nation,” Gayoom said.

Gayoom noted with sadness that PPM Council Member Dr Mohamed Saud had left the party, and thanked him for his services.

“Dr Saud has accorded many services to the party, and I thank him for his. I wish him happiness and progress in the future,” Gayoom said.