State Minister of Tourism Suspended Over “Terror Attack” Claims
Photo: People’s National Congress
Mohamed Nihad, a State Minister of Tourism, has been suspended following controversial remarks made during a rally of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) last night, accusing the opposition party of planning a terror attack on a tourist establishment in Malé Atoll.
Nihad, a former MP and currently a state minister, claimed during the rally that the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), with support from unions, was orchestrating the attack to hinder the milestone of two million tourist arrivals expected this week.
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“As we prepare for two million tourist arrivals—by God’s grace, we will reach this milestone the day after tomorrow—there is a plan to carry out a terrorist attack to prevent the government’s success and deter foreign investment,” Nihad declared during his speech.
He further alleged that the effort would be led by opposition MP Mauroof Zakir, known for his advocacy for tourism workers’ rights as the former leader of the Tourism Employment Association of Maldives (TEAM).
#ޖަލްސާލައިވް
އެމްޑީޕީގެ ބްރޯ ހެދިގެން އުޅޭ މީހާ އުޅެނީ ރާއްޖޭގެ ރިޒޯޓަކަށް އަރާ ޓުއަރިޒަމަށް ޓެރަރިސްޓް ހަމާއެއް ދޭން، ސަމާލުވޭ – ކުރީގެ ފޭދޫ ދާއިރާގެ މެމްބަރު، ނިހާދު#publicstory pic.twitter.com/R3oLCEPTcn— Public Story (@publicstorymv) December 23, 2024
“I’m talking about an attack on international resorts. The organisation I am referring to operates under the guise of labour unions and claims support from young people. They are planning to target three resorts operating in the same lagoon in Malé Atoll tomorrow evening,” he said.
Nihad suggested that union representatives had sought to hold a gathering on one of the islands but were refused due to full occupancy. Despite this, he claimed they had issued warnings of proceeding with the gathering by arriving in boats with loudspeakers.
“Our tourism relies on three S’s—Sun, Sand, and Sea—but it also depends on Safety, Stability, and Security. These are tools we use to market our destination. The opposition is trying to regain power, even if it means destroying these pillars and harming the livelihoods of our people,” he added.
MDP Condemn “Baseless” and Damaging Rhetoric
The MDP has strongly condemned Nihad’s allegations, calling them baseless and damaging to the country’s tourism industry.
In a statement issued today, the party highlighted the potential harm such comments could cause to the Maldives’ reputation as a tourist destination.
“The Maldives has already suffered millions of dollars in losses this year due to irresponsible remarks by senior government officials,” the MDP said, referencing earlier statements made against the Indian Prime Minister that adversely impacted tourist arrivals from India.
“It is unacceptable for government officials to create a negative and dangerous image of our tourism industry, potentially driving tourists to alternative destinations.”
The MDP called on the government to treat Nihad’s comments with seriousness and to take immediate action to ensure the safety and security of tourists, tourism workers, and businesses.
The suspension of Nihad signals the government’s acknowledgement of the severity of the situation. However, the fallout from the remarks and their impact on the Maldives’ tourism sector remain to be seen.
