Abdul Raheem Rebukes ‘Sitting Room’ Economic Critics

People’s National Congress (PNC) Chairperson and Speaker of Parliament Abdul Raheem has criticised those questioning the government’s economic and development record, saying claims about the country’s progress should be based on firsthand observation.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the PNC Congress at the Social Centre in Malé, Abdul Raheem said critics had predicted that the country would go bankrupt within three months of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu taking office.

“Sitting comfortably in our sitting rooms at home, calling people all sorts of names and claiming to be an economic expert is simply not something we can accept,” Abdul Raheem said.

He said the opposition had also claimed that the administration would be unable to govern and would eventually be forced to step down.

Abdul Raheem said those predictions had not materialised, pointing to the government’s ongoing development projects and economic measures. He said development work was continuing across the country and urged critics to visit different atolls and islands to assess the progress for themselves.

Abdul Raheem said the scale and pace of development would be apparent to those who inspected projects firsthand. He also said some critics were unwilling to examine the facts or acknowledge developments taking place under the government.

The PNC chairperson also called on party members to work towards securing a second term for President Muizzu in the 2028 presidential election.

“We must step out to make Muizzu the second leader to win a second term under the current constitutional system of the Maldives,” Abdul Raheem said.

Abdul Raheem also highlighted the government’s debt repayments, island development projects and the ongoing Ras Malé reclamation project. He also referred to what he described as progress in addressing foreign military presence in the Maldives.

More than 1,300 delegates attended the PNC Congress, which was held in Malé from 15 to 18 September. The congress included discussions on proposed amendments to the party’s internal regulations and elections for positions within its organisational structure.