Pro-government lawmaker Ali Mauroof has said that he is confident that young Maldivians will be use the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge as a venue for wedding ceremonies.

Speaking at the Progressive Party of Maldives’ ‘Asthaa’ rally, Mauroof also said that he ‘hopes for something of the manner’ as well.

The parliamentarian’s potential announcement of his intent to have a celebration on the bridge that costs at least USD 136.6 million – in addition to an undisclosed amount borrowed from China – to construct came as part of a long chain of praises.

In his speech, Mauroof praised incumbent the government and President Abdulla Yameen, who nodded in acknowledgment in the front row.

“I worked with President Yameen in 2013 because I believe he is an economic master and he is a good Muslim, and I believe it is a religious duty for all Maldivian to follow him” Mauroof said.

Mauroof also claimed that he had overheard local entrepreneur Hussein ‘Champa’ Afeef say that the tourism sector has developed exponentially since Yameen’s tenure began.

He further advocated that Maldivians not heed ‘the warnings of big and powerful countries’ that attempt to divide and control the people, a position maintained by his party and its coalition partner over the international community’s concern about Maldives' domestic affairs.