News Desk
MALÉ —President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has declared that the Maldives has successfully broken free from its historical cycle of political subjugation and a culture of retaliatory governance.
In a special message delivered on the occasion of the Maldives’ 61st Independence Day concerning the nation’s independence and democratic landscape, the President emphasised that the current administration has expanded democratic freedoms to an unprecedented degree in the country’s history. Rather than subjecting political rivals to harassment, the government has fostered an environment of equitable opportunity.
President Muizzu noted that the retaliatory spirit of imprisoning political leaders and former presidents has been dismantled, granting full autonomy to political activities. Additionally, he highlighted that freedom of expression and freedom of the press have been firmly guaranteed on the widest possible scale. Stressing the vital importance of responsible freedom, the President reminded citizens that exercising independence requires mutual respect for the boundaries set by the Constitution and Islam, which is essential for national stability.
“The Information Commissioner is an opposition figure appointed by the previous government. Naturally, they are not going to issue an announcement ordering us to do things that oppose us politically, and we will not implement such a thing. State-owned companies are also now 100% implementing this and sharing information.” President
Information Commissioner Responds to Presidential Accusations
Amid these national announcements, Information Commissioner Aahid Rasheed has strongly denied allegations made by President Muizzu accusing him of operating under the orders of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).
In a post published on the social media platform X, Aahid asserted the following points regarding his tenure:
- He operates independently and autonomously without the influence of any external party.
- Throughout his time fulfilling his official responsibilities, no entity has ever issued directives or attempted to intimidate him.
- His core professional principles remain rooted in strict neutrality and the maintenance of absolute fairness.
President Muizzu had previously alleged that Aahid—appointed by the preceding administration—acts with a political agenda directed against the government. These public accusations surfaced while the Information Commissioner’s Office was actively reviewing multiple non-compliance complaints lodged against the President’s Office regarding withheld state information. Despite the friction, Aahid reiterated his unwavering commitment to executing his legally mandated duties with complete independence.
