Solih Criticises Muizzu’s Presidential Address as ‘Unrealistic’

Former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has criticised President Mohammed Muizzu’s presidential address at the parliament, saying it contains promises that cannot be implemented in practice.

Speaking at a campaign event in Foakaidhoo last evening ahead of the council and women’s development committee elections, Solih said the statement failed to outline practical measures or policy reforms, particularly on decentralisation.

He argued that councillors from the People’s National Congress (PNC) would be unable to independently pursue island development, claiming they would be required to follow directives from the central government. Solih alleged that PNC has historically opposed decentralisation and that the current administration is weakening the system, noting that the presidential statement did not include commitments to reform decentralisation laws.

Solih described as unrealistic a pledge in the presidential statement that every Maldivian citizen would receive at least USD 400 annually from resorts developed by state-owned companies. He said previous promises made by the government had not been fulfilled, alleging that projects were frequently launched but later abandoned.

He was referring to a pledge made by President Muizzu to establish 10 resorts and distribute shares in those resorts to all Maldivian citizens.

Solih also criticised what he described as an excessive number of political appointments, citing an island in Laamu Atoll where, he claimed, around 60 political posts had been created in a community of about 300 people. While saying he was not opposed to political appointments, Solih said they should be limited to actual requirements to avoid disrupting local economic activity.

Solih added that development under his administration had been driven by policies that placed decision-making power in the hands of local communities.

Addressing supporters at the event, former Hoarafushi MP Ahmed Saleem said the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) aims to strengthen island economies by expanding access to jobs and education.

Saleem said further development of Hanimaadhoo International Airport, alongside nearby resort projects and increased international flights, could bring greater foreign currency earnings to island communities. However, he said the expected benefits of the airport expansion had yet to be realised due to what he described as inadequate policy planning.