MDP plans protest for October 3

Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s National Council has announced tonight that the party will commence protests from October 3. According to them, demonstrations will persist until the government aligns with what they consider the correct course.

MDP's National Council held an emergency meeting last night in response to a motion submitted by the party's Manadhoo constituency president Mohamed Thoriq. 

The motion states that the government's poor economic decisions have triggered alarming inflation, severely impacting the public's daily life. 

Presenting the motion, Thoriq accused the government of paralyzing parliamentary functions, unlawfully dismissing Supreme Court judges, and exerting undue influence over the judiciary. He further alleged that the government is interfering with independent institutions and weakening local councils, thereby dismantling the existing decentralization system. 

Thoriq further said that the country has descended to the point where citizens are once again reduced to begging for assistance in medical treatment. The right to information is also suppressed, he said, with the government now aiming to control media. 

Thoriq asserted that MDP has always been the force that pulls the nation back from the brink when things go off course. He proposed to stage protests on October 3, and to continue the protests on the streets of Male' until things are improved.

The motion was seconded by MDP's Hoarafushi constituency president Ahmed Saleem. 

Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih also backed the motion, commenting that the motion has accurately described the country's current circumstances. He said that motion makes clear the current situation of the tourism industry, construction industry, media and other areas. 

Solih reiterated that MDP is a party that in all similar situations has always stood up to protect the rights of the people. 

The former President said that as the current administration completes 1 year and 10 months in office, there is hardly a citizen left who isn't deeply worried about the nation's trajectory.

Solih said that the gravest issue at present is the proposed bill that seeks to eliminate press freedom entirely. He said that if the bill is ratified, the media would be taken entirely under the government's control.

Expressing concerns about the bill, Solih urged for the government to have the bill withdrawn.