News Desk
ADDU CITY, — The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has consistently pursued policies “alien to Islam” and harmful to the country, PNC Parliamentary Group Leader Ibrahim Falaah said at a campaign rally in Addu City on Saturday.
Addressing supporters at the launch of the PNC’s local council campaign, Falaah accused the MDP of inflicting “serious injuries” on the nation each time it has governed. He cited the 2010 termination of the Velana International Airport concession agreement, saying the state was forced to pay US$270 million in compensation during the first MDP administration.
Falaah argued that both MDP governments had repeatedly attempted to sell “hard national assets,” claiming that despite the party’s efforts to present itself as working for the people, its policies had caused “nothing but damage.”
He also criticised former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, alleging that his administration “mortgaged schools” and took on large loans that did not benefit the public. “The money went into the pockets of MDP officials,” he claimed, without providing evidence.
Falaah noted that since the introduction of the council system 15 years ago, the PPM–PNC coalition has never secured a majority in Addu City, nor won the mayoral seat. He argued that the MDP’s long control of the council had resulted in neglect.
“Addu is the second‑largest city after Malé, and development should be delivered in full,” he said. “There is no development the MDP has brought to the people of Addu.”
He urged voters to support PNC candidates in the upcoming elections, saying the public had already rejected the MDP’s “lies” by giving the PNC a large majority in the 2023 presidential election and the 2024 parliamentary polls.
Falaah intensified his criticism by accusing the MDP of holding positions contrary to Islamic values. He said the government had highlighted religious issues in President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s Presidential Address on 5 February but claimed MDP MPs attempted to drown out the speech.
“You saw the first reaction in the parliamentary chamber — they did not want anything to be heard clearly,” he said. According to Falaah, MDP members “raised their voices” during the 15‑minute section on religious policy, but “their voices dropped” once the topic was fully addressed.
Falaah concluded by saying the government’s promises to Addu and the southern atolls had been formally documented and handed over to local councils, asserting that the country was “moving forward” under the current administration.
