News Desk
The campaign booth for the Hulhumalé South constituency in the upcoming Local Council and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) elections was officially opened tonight by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed. The event was attended by senior PNC leaders, ministers, MPs, Malé City mayoral candidate Moosa Ali Jaleel, WDC presidential candidate AlUstaza Ashiyath Alaika Adnan, and candidates contesting from Hulhumalé South.
Addressing supporters, MP Ibrahim Shujau highlighted what he described as the transformative impact of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s tenure as Malé City Mayor, saying the public only began to see the true benefits of decentralisation after he took office.
Shujau noted that although the Decentralisation Act has existed since 2011, “people saw its real potential only when Dr Muizzu became mayor in 2021.” He said Muizzu won the mayoral election with a clear manifesto and went on to redefine the role and responsibilities of the council.
According to Shujau, Muizzu introduced unprecedented transparency by broadcasting council meetings and making administrative processes visible to the public. “He proved that a council can be run through a two way, transparent system,” he said.
Shujau praised Muizzu’s approach to planning, saying he developed a strategic action plan based on public consultation and without political bias. He said Muizzu engaged clubs, associations and community groups in drafting the city’s land‑use plan — a key document intended to organise land according to public needs.
However, he criticised the former administration for withholding the plan at the Housing Ministry. “The law requires approval within three months, but it was delayed with excuses. This prevented the proper use of land and caused real harm to the people,” he said.
Shujau also noted that Muizzu was the first mayoral candidate in Malé’s history to present a full manifesto, demonstrating that the council could function as a responsible institution serving the public.
Shujau highlighted several projects Muizzu initiated in Hulhumale’, including efforts to solve the long‑standing parking crisis. He said Muizzu secured an MVR 85 million loan from the Islamic Bank to begin the work.
He recalled calling then‑President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih for support, only to receive a letter the next day stating that land could not be allocated to the Malé City Council. “This was a major setback,” he said.
Shujau also pointed to the renovation of the Hulhumale’ dome mosque, saying Muizzu mobilised business owners and donors to complete the mosque work just six months before Ramadan.
When Muizzu took office, the Hulhumale’ council office was “a 12‑by‑12‑foot room,” Shujau said. Within two years, Muizzu expanded it into a full‑fledged office offering modern services. “Many of the council’s services today are being delivered from the office he built,” he added.
Shujau urged voters to reflect on these developments before heading to the polls on April 4. He said continuing the progress initiated under Muizzu’s leadership as mayor requires electing candidates who will uphold the same level of commitment.
The PNC has been conducting extensive door‑to‑door and community outreach activities across Malé and the atolls. President Muizzu has also been participating in campaign events as the election approaches.
