Jabir

Government Spokesperson Abbas Adil Riza has said that Deputy Leader of Jumhooree Party (JP) and Kaashidhoo MP Abdullah Jabir makes baseless allegations against the President and the government.

Abbas said this in response to statements made by Jabir at the Parliament’s Finance Committee meeting and ‘Fasmanzaru’ program on VTV yesterday.

Jabir said that the President makes members of the government coalition parties do the dirty work of the government.

Abbas said that Jabir’s claims are baseless and untrue.

“The President holds regular meetings with members of the government coalition parties, and shares with them the necessary information. Such statements made by Jabir personally, which are not backed by any decision made by JP, should not reflect on JP. JP is an important member of this coalition,” he said.

Abbas referred to Jabir’s claims that 14 additional resorts were opened for bidding in order to obtain finance for President Waheed’s campaign, and said that such decisions, which are based on the tourism master plan and finalised by Tourism Ministry and Cabinet Committees, have nothing to do with the President’s campaign.

He said that Jabir, who previously acted as Special Trade Representative in President Waheed’s government, is misinformed if he thinks otherwise.

“Former President Nasheed’s government’s policy was to focus on public-private partnerships when leasing islands for resort development, which was against the third tourism master plan. On the contrary, President Waheed’s government’s policy is to focus on the tourism master plan instead of public-private partnerships. Public-private partnerships will be created if necessary. These decisions are not made in haste or without careful planning,” he said.

Abbas also responded to Jabir’s claims that President Waheed’s government spends more money than it receives, and accused Jabir of having been one of Nasheed’s allies who was involved in making excessive expenditures over the past three years.

“Jabir’s statements at political forums will have no impact on the government. The government also does not believe that the honourable Member of Parliament for Kaashidhoo, who was elected through JP, might leave the government coalition,” he said.

Jabir has filed a case to Civil Court, against the award of the project to develop West Park, which is currently managed by Jabir, to tennis player and businessman Amir Mansoor for 10 years. Jabir’s contract for West Part will expire at the end of this month.