News Desk
MALE’, Maldives — President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced an ambitious national service program today, allocating 400 million Maldivian rufiyaa ($26 million) to train 5,000 new security personnel over the next four years, marking a significant expansion of the nation’s security and defense capabilities.
Speaking at the Victory Day commemoration event organized by the Ministry of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage, Dr. Muizzu outlined plans to recruit and train 4,000 soldiers and 1,000 police officers, targeting young Maldivians who face challenges accessing higher education or employment opportunities.
“We have over 2,000 students annually who complete schooling but struggle to secure further education or jobs,” Dr. Muizzu said. The program, set to begin next year, will include provisions for participants as young as 16, pending new legislation.
In a notable shift in policy, the president announced permanent allowances for families of security personnel killed in the line of duty. The announcement comes as the government acknowledges 29 soldiers and two police officers who lost their lives in various incidents since 1979, including eight soldiers and 11 civilians killed during the November 3, 1988 attack.
“Recent governments have discontinued financial support for martyrs’ families — a great injustice that we aim to correct,” Dr. Muizzu said. The new initiative will extend benefits to families of all martyrs, including recipients of the Medal for Exceptional Bravery and Medal for Bravery from the 1988 incident.
The government also unveiled plans for a 50-unit housing complex, dubbed the “Martyrs’ Shelter,” to be completed during the president’s current term.
Dr. Muizzu highlighted upcoming renovations to military bases across the atolls, stating that friendly nations have pledged support for the modernization efforts scheduled to commence next year.
The comprehensive security enhancement program represents one of the largest investments in Maldives’ defense sector in recent years, reflecting growing emphasis on national security in the Indian Ocean nation.
The president’s announcement at the Victory Day event — which commemorates the foiling of a coup attempt in 1988 — underscores his administration’s focus on strengthening domestic security forces while addressing social welfare concerns of service members’ families.
