President Abdulla Yameen has said that despite the criticism he faces, that he “will not let go of his principles.”

The President made the statement during a special ceremony held at STELCO on Wednesday, where his faction of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) accepted “around 700 membership forms” from Addu City.

He said that “despite the criticism directed towards [his] government over issues handled within legal limits,” that it does not mean that he will let go of his principles.

He also said that the various pressures directed towards the country, from both inside and out, will not make him let go of his ways either. He added that the country is facing international pressure because some people feel that Maldives “does not have the kind of democracy that they seek.”

Also, speaking at Wednesday’s ceremony, President Yameen noted that PPM “has certain rules and regulations,” adding that "no one should attempt to deny the party people their rights."

President Yameen and number of senior officials from his faction took part in today’s ceremony at STELCO. Wednesday’s parliament sitting was also concluded early, with the voting held at 11 am, normally held towards the end of a parliament session, at 1:30 pm.