● On 23rd December, 2024, state minister for tourism Mohamed Nihad accused MDP of plotting a terrorist attack on international brand resorts intending to prevent the country from reaching its milestone goal of 2 million tourists over the year. Speaking at a PNC rally in Male’ city attended by vice president Hussain Mohamed Latheef and minister of defense Gassaan Maumoon, the former member of parliament alleged that key members of the Maldivian Democratic Party were behind this “plot”, claiming this as part of a concerted effort to stop foreign investment and cripple the economy.
● We unequivocally deny all such accusations and strongly condemn such irresponsible remarks being made by the state official.
● This gravely serious accusation is an act of defamation that causes considerable harm not just to the party, but the country as a whole. The remarks have created uncertainty in the safety of our country, for both locals and tourists alike, and will likely have serious economic and diplomatic repercussions. We regret that such deeply irresponsible behavior by state officials at high levels has been a recurring theme within this administration, and highlight billions in damage already done in a diplomatic row with India caused by the racist comments of 3 former deputy ministers.
● These officials, rather than being reprimanded, were shuffled around and rewarded with higher pay, remaining influential within the administration.
● We demand that this repeated irresponsibility be addressed and treated with the seriousness it deserves, and call for the immediate removal of state minister Mohamed Nihad. We call for the administration to uphold basic standards in the conduct of their state representatives with all haste, and ensure that such incidents are not repeated.