President: Politicians fail to consider living situation of ordinary citizens

Politicians are all big talk and fail to understand the living situation of ordinary citizens living in small isolated islands, says President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

During his speech at N. Maalhendhoo on Sunday morning during his current tour of three northern atolls, President Yameen said he had gained better understanding of the desperate living situation of the people of Maalhendhoo during his visit. He said the harbor he inaugurated in the island this Sunday was something the people of Maalhendhoo had desperately wanted for years.

“As political leaders make sad comments regarding the Maldives from within the community and abroad, they fail to realize the desperate conditions under which people in such small islands live in. Its all about big political statements,” said President Yameen.

He said the power to bring politicians to the right track and the option of rejecting blessings and choosing a different path both lay with the people. He said decisions or votes in a democracy should be cast by showing gratitude to blessings and giving it proper thought.

He said he was not one to rule using force.

“The only thing I can do is to work towards fulfilling the people’s needs. Nothing was gained through the political instability the past decade. If political instability could have created progress, then Maldives would not be as it is now,” said President Yameen.

He also announced the government’s plans to build an airport in the N. Atoll, which he said will bring progress to the atoll. He said the airport will support guesthouse business in small islands such as Maalhendhoo.

President Yameen during his visit to Maalhendhoo on Sunday inaugurated the island’s harbor and a Saudi funded mosque in the island.