Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has bashed the government’s focus on ideological debates, warning that the citizens are presently enduring an incredibly dire situation that demands urgent action, not empty rhetoric.

The former president made these remarks while speaking at a gathering of the People’s National Front (PNF).

The ex-president heavily bashed the incumbent, stressing that it is not acceptable for the government to talk about reviving ideology while the people are presently drowning in difficulties.

Further, Yameen noted that the government is still struggling to manage its financial affairs, adding that the current administration is not acting in the best interest of the people.

Highlighting that the citizens are feeling the impact of the economic downturn and that the living conditions of the citizens are deteriorating day by day, Yameen said that Maldivians are “starving.”

Speaking at the gathering, Yameen went on to slam the incumbent’s plan to provide treatment for people trying to quit smoking through Aasandha, calling it hypocritical after they had already cut essential services from the insurance scheme. He questioned whether it was the right approach to do this after slashing essential treatments for the citizens. Stressing that the government is hindering the rights of citizens, Yameen criticized the growing restrictions on freedom of expression and the harassment of individuals summoned by authorities for voicing their opinions.

Speaking at the PNF meeting, Yameen criticized President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s unkept promises to the fishermen, saying that they would receive payment within 48 hours of weighing their fish. Yameen said that Muizzu has repeated this promise yet again and noted that it is not sensible to make more promises when the government is struggling to fulfill those that have already been made.