MTCC head resigns shortly after MDP switch

The CEO of Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), Dr Ahmed Adham Abdulla, has resigned just hours after local media reported his decision to join the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

A former member of President Dr Mohamed Waheed’s Gaumee Ittihad Party (GIP), Abdullah, had told local media that his decision was made in the hope of providing the best service to the public.

“It’s not me, it’s the people who showed that, with their 45 percent that this is the way things should go. I am always a person who wants to serve the people. That’s why I joined the party that has a future,” he told Channel News Maldives.

The MTCC contracted ferry between Hulhumale’ and Male’ was temporarily suspended this morning after the contracted boats were not paid for – a situation Abdulla claimed was the result of large sums the company was itself owed.

Government aligned minister, Dr Ali Shareef, was dismissed from his post earlier this week after supporting his Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party’s decision to back the MDP’s President Nasheed in the presidential run-off.

Meanwhile, rumours continued to circulate regarding the future of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) MP Ahmed Mahloof, who is also said to be on the verge of switching to the MDP.

PPM party leader and former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, however, dismissed speculation when speaking at a campaign rally yesterday in Male’.

“I will say that by God’s will Mahloof will remain with us. I called him and talked to him just past sunset. He voiced some grievances. But he also believes that the nations interest must come first,” Gayoom was quoted as saying.