Defense Minister Adam Shareef Umar on Wednesday urged the public to place their faith and trust in President Yameen.

He made the statement in response to the questions posed by Raajje.mv journalist over the proposed sale of F. Atoll to the Saudi royal family. The plea came amid public outcry over the proposed sale.

Speaking in the press conference held to announce a new movement aimed to increase religious cohesion in the nation, held in President’s Office, Minister Adam Shareef said “everything the President did was for the betterment of the public”.

When Raajje.mv journalist first attempted to question about the sale, he was denied the opportunity to ask any questions. His question was answered by the Minister when the press conference was concluded.

Defense Minister praised the President for his initiatives to make Maldives a more patriotic nation, calling it “unprecedented”.

“Therefore, we must trust the President. Whatever he does, he does it for the Maldivian citizens. Every action he carries out, he discusses it with the relevant institutions and well within the Constitution and legal framework. So, everything he does, it’s for the betterment of the public,” Minister Adam Shareef said.

Even though the Government had not issued a clear statement on the proposed sale of F. Atoll, both Government officials, Members of Parliament and the President himself had spoken in a manner that lent support to the rumors that the Atoll will be sold off to Saudi royal family.

Speaking in F. Magoodhoo on January 24, President Yameen said that Saudi Government had expressed interest in the Atoll, with large scale projects planned for the atoll. The President said all the planning and drawings for the projects had already been compiled.

Public outcry over the planned sale had risen, with political parties, civil societies, the Atoll Council and citizens calling out against the sale.