It is shameful that Nasheed sought

Former president Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom has said that it is shameful for a former president, or even an ordinary citizen, to have to seek “protection” from a foreign country.

Maumoon made his statements while speaking at a ceremony held in the Progressive Party of Maldive’s (PPM) office to mark the signing of five councilors from three different atolls to the party today.

The former president said that we must be able to solve our domestic problems ourselves and that the Maldivian judicial system reaches out to everyone without exception, and said that no one has the right act beyond the frame of the judicial system.

“I, as a former president and also as a Maldivian citizen, it is something I will be ashamed of. Moreover, not only for a former president but it is shameful for an ordinary citizen to have to seek protection from a foreign country. We can solve our problems in Maldives on our own. The judicial system is a system that is applicable to everyone. Nobody has the right act outside the judicial system,” Maumoon said.

Regarding the Nasheed’s refusal to attend court, Maumoon said that if a person is summoned to trial, it is imperative that the person obediently attend the summons and that it is up to the person himself to prove hims innocence.

“If you have to go to a trial, then he must go. It must happen even if it is me, or former president Nasheed. He has attended trails before. Now all of a sudden he has changed his mind and gone somewhere and decided to stay, I don’t understand the meaning of this,” Maumoon said.

He also said that Nasheed’s recent decision is causing a lot of problems and that India and Maldives has had a very close relationship for a very long time. He said that no one should act such that the relationship between Maldives and India is impaired.

“India and Maldives are two very close countries. No one should act such that the relationship impaired. He is not currently in their protection. If he goes there, the ambassador too cannot just ask him to leave. He didn’t go there after being told that he will get protection either. He just goes and stays,” said Maumoon.

The councilors that signed up for PPM at the ceremony today are; Haa Dhaalu Nolhivaramfaru Council President Ibrahim Ali, Haa Dhaalu Nolhivaramfaru Council Vice President Mohamed Hassan, Haa Dhaalu Nolhivaram Council Member Mohamed Saleem, Noonu Landhoo Council President Mohamed Fayaz and Thaa Atoll Council Member Hassan Zareer.