Azleen: Supreme Court will not get pulled into opposition’s drama

The members of the opposition coalition are self-serving, and the Supreme Court will not get pulled into whatever ploy the opposition is trying to pull off, says Minister of Home Affairs, Azleen Ahmed.

Speaking in an interview with “Sun” this Monday, Azleen said the opposition had always tried to slander the Supreme Court judges, and questioned whether the opposition found the Supreme Court acceptable now.

“Is the Supreme Court acceptable now? Most of them, to this very day, have challenged every decision made by the Supreme Court. Isn’t this the group which, day and night, challenges the court’s decisions, challenges the trials at the court and slander the court? What all have they not said to defame the Supreme Court judges?” said Azleen.

He said the people of Maldives were witness to statements made by the opposition to slander the Supreme Court judges, and that the judges themselves knew what kind of people the opposition members were.

“The Supreme Court judges themselves this group of people don’t have one ounce of integrity. They don’t have one ounce of integrity. They are completely self-serving. The highest Maldivian court will not get pulled into the drama they are trying to execute,” said Azleen.

The Home Minister alleged the opposition was trying to create unrest within the community and destroy the trust in institutions. He said that such actions were criminal offenses, and will be punished to the full extent of the law.

He said that any member of an institution, if he or she violated the law, will also be brought to justice.

“State institutions are standing strong. If there are any in these institutions who violate the law, they will be brought to justice. We will identify people within institutions who join parties to commit such offenses,” said Azleen.

“They claim something major may happen tonight… tomorrow… because they have nothing.”

Azleen commented that the current Maldivian President, Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom was “currently the smartest politician in Maldives.”

“They should not assume they can get things done by misleading the public, creating unrest in the streets, executing crimes or bribery,” said Azleen.

He said the Maldives Police Service was aware the opposition did not have their best interests at heart, and that the opposition will not be able to play with the police force.

“The police will remain true to performing their lawful duties. Not one police officer can be misled by these people. We know they are conspiring to covertly play with their heads. We are taking necessary action to address this. These people will not be able to play with the police force. The police will not follow them. I 100 percent guarantee it,” said Azleen.

The Home Minister said President Yameen has done nothing unconstitutional or unlawful, and that he has taken action against any State official who has violated the law.

“There’s no deception, trickery or criminal activity in the State’s policies. This administration is the strongest, most honest administration the country has ever seen. They are envious because President Yameen’s administration is the most law-abiding, most watchful of the nation’s sovereignty,” said Azleen.

He said the opposition should try to gain the support of the people, instead of tarnishing the reputation of institutions in order to come to power.

The Home Minister’s comments come after leaders of the opposition coalition – former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed, former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, leader of Jumhoory Party Qasim Ibrahim and leader of Adhaalath Party Imran Abdulla requested the impeachment of President Yameen at the Supreme Court last Sunday. They said they were requesting the impeachment because relevant institutions were incapable of doing so.