News Desk
MALÉ, Maldives — President Dr. Mohammed Muizzu declared on Friday night that the ruling People’s National Congress had staged the largest political rally ever held in the Maldives, drawing more than 13,000 people to the artificial beach in the capital.
Addressing the crowd, President Muizzu thanked party workers and supporters for what he described as an unprecedented show of strength. “This is the most popular political rally ever held in the Maldives,” he said, noting that the turnout filled the entire venue.
“This is the most popular political rally ever held in the Maldives,”
The rally marked the second anniversary of the PNC government. Hundreds of supporters travelled from islands across the country, some arriving in Malé days in advance. The event was both a celebration and a platform for the president to outline government achievements and announce new initiatives.
Freedom of Expression
President Muizzu used the occasion to deliver a pointed message on freedom of expression. He warned that those who wished to speak outside the boundaries of Islam should “go to another country,” insisting that Maldivians would not accept views that contravened Islamic principles. “It is freedom of expression within the limits of Islam. It is essential to bring peace in this country,” he said.
The president emphasized that protecting reputation was a fundamental right in Islam and one that applied equally to all citizens. “Everyone has a family, we have children, wives, friends and colleagues. Everyone has honour and dignity. Everyone has rights. There is dignity, human dignity,” he said.
“It is freedom of expression within the limits of Islam. It is essential to bring peace in this country,”
Building on that theme, Muizzu argued that freedom of expression, when practiced within Islamic boundaries, was vital to maintaining peace. He added that Maldivians did not want to engage in anything that went against Islam or Sharia.
No Political Prisoners
“There will be no political revenge. I said this government will not carry forward the spirit of revenge. To date, there has been no spirit of revenge,”
The president underscored his commitment to ending the practice of jailing opponents for political reasons. He said the cells built by previous governments for politicians now stand empty and will remain so. “Then I can’t send anyone to put in there. That’s because I’m not politically revengeful,” he told the cheering crowd.
President Muizzu assured supporters that his administration would not adopt the habit of imprisonment for political purposes. “We will not do that. There will be no political revenge. I said this government will not carry forward the spirit of revenge. To date, there has been no spirit of revenge,” he said.
He added that the rule of law would apply equally to all citizens. “It is not a choice in a just government to discriminate between him and me and anyone else. It will apply to anyone. The system will apply to anyone. I will not compromise on that. It will be abandonment of justice if I do that,” he said.
President Muizzu described the PNC as a party that puts the country first, praising supporters for prioritizing national interests over personal gain. He said true peace could only be achieved by rejecting what he called the “evil ocean of revenge.”
Political Freedoms
“There should be rallies every night. Who is going to stop from gathering? I don’t understand why they are trying to portray that there are no such freedoms. There should be gatherings every night, day and night, 24 hours a day,”
He also highlighted the government’s expansion of political freedoms, noting that gatherings were once restricted to a single location in Malé. His administration, he said, had designated four to five sites where rallies could be held without prior permission. Despite this, he expressed frustration that opposition parties had not made use of the spaces.
“There should be rallies every night. Who is going to stop from gathering? I don’t understand why they are trying to portray that there are no such freedoms. There should be gatherings every night, day and night, 24 hours a day,” he said.
President Muizzu assured supporters that no one would face imprisonment for political activity under his administration. “Just express your opinion as much as you want within Islamic boundaries, no one will care. Nothing to worry, no one will put you in jail. I assure you that there will be no political prisoners during this administration,” he said.
Ramadan Relief Measures
“This is to make this society a caring, compassionate and equal society,”
Turning to economic relief, President Muizzu announced that each household will pay a maximum of MVR 400 for electricity during the coming Ramadan. “The rest is half discount,” he said.
The government had introduced similar measures last year, when State Electric Company Stelco prepared separate bills and distributed them to households. In addition to the electricity subsidy, President Muizzu said every household would receive a case of tuna, while island councils have begun collecting data to distribute subsidies during the holy month.
He also highlighted further initiatives, including a bill introduced in Parliament to allow citizens aged 65 to 75 to continue working. He described the measure as a step toward self-empowerment and increasing household income.
President Muizzu pledged support for children with thalassemia, announcing that MVR 2,000 would be allocated for each child under next year’s budget. “This is to make this society a caring, compassionate and equal society,” he said.
Equality in Development
“Those islands and Malé are equal to me,”
Shifting focus to development, President Muizzu stressed that the capital region and the rest of the country are equal in his eyes and that he is acting under that principle to bring progress.
“Is it only in this city? Is it only in the cities? Is it only in the rural islands that development is to be brought,” he asked.
The president said he had visited islands that no leader had set foot in for 45 years, describing the neglect as shocking. “Those islands and Malé are equal to me,” he said.
He announced that ATMs were being opened in remote islands and that ID card and passport services would soon be available in every province. Dollar ATMs are also being installed to promote business activity.
Housing
President Muizzu also detailed the government’s housing program. He said 825 housing units are being constructed in 13 islands under contracts with various companies. He added that 1,100 units in 16 more islands have been included in next year’s budget, while lands have been given to the Bank of Maldives to finance 3,000 additional units.
He announced that a dredger will arrive on the 23rd of this month to begin work at the Giravaru lagoon, marking the start of a major reclamation project. He said more dredgers would be brought in to accelerate the process, with land to be reclaimed from Rasmale and Uthuru Thilafalhu. The area, he noted, is twice the size of the two phases of Hulhumalé combined.
The president said the land allocation process will be made public next week, with applications opening for 15,000 plots to be distributed within a month.
