Foreign Minister Dr Abdulla Khaleel has said President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has set the strongest example of decentralization in Maldives.
Speaking at the opening of the PNC’s Galolhu North constituency hub, Khaleel said President Muizzu, who previously served as mayor of Malé City, had demonstrated his commitment to engaging directly with citizens.
He said the president had held a series of public meetings in Male' from 8.30 pm until 4.30 am to listen to people’s concerns.
“No other leader has spent so much time with the people,” Khaleel said.
According to Minister Khaleel, true decentralization means delivering services close to the people and directly hearing their concerns.
“President Muizzu is trying to reach out to the people, listen to their voices and provide the services they need,” he said.
Minister Khaleel said President Muizzu not only meets citizens at public gatherings but also listens to individuals one by one, takes notes and sends the issues to the President’s Office for follow up.
“He records these matters and sends them to us, and then checks whether we respond to them,” he said.
He added that the president analyses the concerns raised by the public and works to address them.
Minister Khaleel also expressed confidence that candidates contesting the upcoming local council and women’s development committee elections would follow President Muizzu’s approach.
“He is shaping the decentralization system into the strongest system of decentralization,” Khaleel said.
The minister said one of the key reforms introduced by President Muizzu after taking office was strengthening women’s development committees. The position of committee chair was made a full-time role with a salary to empower women and enhance their participation in local governance.
Minister Khaleel also criticized previous administrations, alleging they had undermined decentralization.
He said having councils aligned with the government was important for development, claiming some councils had stalled projects by failing to allocate budgets or cooperate with the government.
