Alhaan: Maumoon not sincere with his reform plans

Former lawmaker Alhaan Fahmy has accused former Maldivian President and leader of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Maumoon Abdul Gayoom of being insincere with his plans to reform the ruling political party.

Alhaan had gained political prominence as a key member of Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), founded by Maumoon; but was later kicked out of the party after he violated a three-line whip issued by DRP regarding the vote of no confidence taken on Dr. Ahmed Shaheed – who had been Minister of Foreign Affairs in former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed’s administration.

He had then moved on to join the opposition party – Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

Alhaan, who has been recently voicing out against both MDP and PPM, joined the Television Maldives “Rajje Miadhu” show on Sunday night and said that both MDP and PPM were ‘hijacked’.

“President Maumoon has come out and announced that he is going to reform the party [PPM]. I don’t believe the reform is genuine. There is no other reason for the reform,” said Alhaan, alleging that Maumoon had not made his reform plans because of any internal issue within the party, but to pressure current Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom into bending to his will.

“Just because President Maumoon couldn’t get his way over differences of political beliefs, doesn’t mean that the ruling party council and parliamentary group should pick on the Maldivian President and pressure President Yameen,” said Alhaan.

He said that the ruling party being autocratic would spell disaster.

“Its very alarming if the Maldivian President is being single-mindedly influenced politically by the ruling party. Based on what I see from President Maumoon, I would not say he is being fully sincere with his plans to reform the party. I don’t believe that President Nasheed’s work to supposedly promote democracy by forming MUO [Maldives United Opposition] is sincere either,” said Alhaan.

He called out for Maumoon to carry on with his reform agenda with more sincerity and with more public involvement.