Why I Want to be MDP President – Mody

Minivan News spends 15 Minutes with MDP Presidency candidate Mohamed Ibrahim Didi (Mody).
MN: Why are you standing for the leadership of the MDP in the forthcoming Congress?
M: I am not contesting because I have any selfish needs nor because I have a great ambition to be the party leader. However, MDP has come to a stage where the party needs to show leadership and prove to the people that it can confidently govern the country. I am contesting because the leadership of the country is not one man’s own domain. And i think all the capable people who have nominated themselves have proved that there are people who are willing and able to lead the Maldives into a modern democracy.
MN: MDP has said the party needs to develop a set of policies. What sort of policies would you like to see the party develop?
M: It is up to the party members to decide on the policy they would like their party to have. As for me, I would like a more just and equal society. I wouldn’t want people who are sick to go and beg for money to get medical treatment because they can’t afford it. I wouldn’t want drug peddlars in front of schools where our children study. I want the economic benefits to be distributed in a more equitable manner. I want the justice system in the country to treat everybody fairly and equally.
MN: What do you think the MDP needs to do to dig the country out of the political hole it is currently in?
M: The things are standing at a standstill because the government is refusing to listen to the voice of the people. The government is refusing to talk with the other parties. Only through a dialogue between the government and opposition can we get out of this mess. However, the government must be sincere in starting a dialogue. I don’t think keeping the chairperson of the opposition party under detention shows sincerity. We are willing to talk with the government only when they release the political prisoners and show their sincerity.
MN:What should the MDP be doing to ensure those arrested following the 12-14 August unrest are released, including the current Chairperson Anni.
M: I believe what we have all agreed in Colombo is a good course of action. Unless the political prisoner are released, MDP must pursue all means of peaceful civil disobedience. We must not deter from our course of action because of warnings and threats from the government. What we are proposing to do is not illegal but what is a right of ours. It is a right granted to people in all democratic societies. Preventing us from practicing our rights to freedom of assembly and expression will be a violation of our constitution.
MN: Some MDP members have said you have been quite quiet as an MP since the January elections. Do you think this will impact on your chances for party president?
M: I have been working as an MP in the People’s Majlis as well as People’s Special Majlis. I am working as a member of the the caretaker committee of MDP. I have not been quiet but I may not have been very visible. I will respect the decision of the members of the Congress when the decision is made in December.

Minivan News spends 15 Minutes with MDP Presidency candidate Mohamed Ibrahim Didi (Mody).

MN: Why are you standing for the leadership of the MDP in the forthcoming Congress?

M: I am not contesting because I have any selfish needs nor because I have a great ambition to be the party leader. However, MDP has come to a stage where the party needs to show leadership and prove to the people that it can confidently govern the country. I am contesting because the leadership of the country is not one man’s own domain. And i think all the capable people who have nominated themselves have proved that there are people who are willing and able to lead the Maldives into a modern democracy.

MN: MDP has said the party needs to develop a set of policies. What sort of policies would you like to see the party develop?

M: It is up to the party members to decide on the policy they would like their party to have. As for me, I would like a more just and equal society. I wouldn’t want people who are sick to go and beg for money to get medical treatment because they can’t afford it. I wouldn’t want drug peddlars in front of schools where our children study. I want the economic benefits to be distributed in a more equitable manner. I want the justice system in the country to treat everybody fairly and equally.

MN: What do you think the MDP needs to do to dig the country out of the political hole it is currently in?

M: The things are standing at a standstill because the government is refusing to listen to the voice of the people. The government is refusing to talk with the other parties. Only through a dialogue between the government and opposition can we get out of this mess. However, the government must be sincere in starting a dialogue. I don’t think keeping the chairperson of the opposition party under detention shows sincerity. We are willing to talk with the government only when they release the political prisoners and show their sincerity.

MN:What should the MDP be doing to ensure those arrested following the 12-14 August unrest are released, including the current Chairperson Anni.

M: I believe what we have all agreed in Colombo is a good course of action. Unless the political prisoner are released, MDP must pursue all means of peaceful civil disobedience. We must not deter from our course of action because of warnings and threats from the government. What we are proposing to do is not illegal but what is a right of ours. It is a right granted to people in all democratic societies. Preventing us from practicing our rights to freedom of assembly and expression will be a violation of our constitution.

MN: Some MDP members have said you have been quite quiet as an MP since the January elections. Do you think this will impact on your chances for party president?

M: I have been working as an MP in the People’s Majlis as well as People’s Special Majlis. I am working as a member of the the caretaker committee of MDP. I have not been quiet but I may not have been very visible. I will respect the decision of the members of the Congress when the decision is made in December.

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