Tag: Faris Maumoon

PPM constituencies will be prioritised for development, says president

Constituencies represented by ruling coalition MPs will be prioritised for development projects in the state budget for 2016, President Abdulla Yameen has said.

During a visit to Meemu Atoll Dhiggaru to campaign for the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) candidate, Yameen yesterday urged Dhiggaru constituents to vote for Ahmed Faris Maumoon to ensure development.

“If you do this, no doubt when the budget comes, under the principle where constituencies with our members are prioritised now, this constituency will be noted very early on,” he said.

The by-election is scheduled for Saturday, June 6.

The PPM and coalition partner Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) controls a comfortable majority of the 85-house.

The rhetoric of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is unimportant for Dhiggaru constituents, Yameen said.

The MDP, the Adhaalath Party and members of the Jumhooree Party have been protesting for three months over the imprisonment of ex-president Mohamed Nasheed.

Yameen said Dhiggaru constituents wanted a seawall, new classrooms, and a school hall.

“[A] 140 kilowatt generator to ease the electricity problem in this island before Ramadan will be important for the people of this island,” he said.

The generator will arrive before Ramadan, and projects to establish water and sewerage systems in Dhiggaru will begin early next year.

An outer wall for the Dhiggaru football field will also be built in two months and a futsal pitch will be built during the year, he pledged.

President Yameen’s pledges follow PPM MPs assuring development of the five islands in the Dhiggaru constituency if Faris wins the by-election, prompting allegations of undue influence and bribery.

The PPM was previously accused of bribery over the delivery of an x-ray machine to Muli last month.

The government has also signed an agreement with the state-owned Maldives Transport and Construction Company to build a harbour in Dhiggaru.

The ruling party was also accused of vote buying after handing over air-conditioners to a school in Raa Atoll Alifushi, shortly before an island council by-election.

The government’s efforts to develop the Dhiggaru constituency will speed up and be made easier if Faris is elected, Yameen continued, as he would have the president’s ear and be able to share the concerns of his constituents.

In contrast, Yameen said, MDP MPs voted against the 2015 budget and had “hijacked” parliament since March to “obstruct” proceedings.

He also accused opposition-dominated island councils of refusing to allocate land to develop futsal pitches, stressing the importance of electing PPM councillors and lawmakers for cooperation with the government.

Faris is the president’s nephew and eldest son of PPM leader, former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. He will be facing MDP candidate Ahmed Razee and independent candidate Moosa Naseer Ahmed in the June 6 poll.

Dhiggaru is a PPM stronghold and a support base of the former president.

The by-election was triggered by the jailing of former MP Ahmed Nazim, also a PPM member. He was convicted of defrauding the former atolls ministry and imprisoned for life.

Yameen said Nazim had “sincerely served” the party and the PPM wished to keep hold of the seat.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

President Yameen promises engine for Dhiggaru during campaign trip

President Abdulla Yameen visited Meemu Dhiggaru today to campaign for the ruling party candidate ahead of the upcoming by-election for the constituency’s vacant parliament seat.

“There will be a 145 kilowatt generator in Dhiggaru before the start of Ramadan,” he said at a campaign event, according to president’s office spokesperson Ibrahim Muaz Ali.

The president’s nephew, Ahmed Faris Maumoon, is contesting the June 6 by-election as the Progressive Party of Maldives’ (PPM) candidate. Faris is the eldest son of PPM leader, former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

President Yameen’s pledges follow PPM MPs assuring development of the five islands in the Dhiggaru constituency if Faris wins the by-election, prompting allegations of undue influence and bribery.

In his remarks at Dhiggaru, President Yameen also slammed the opposition’s continuing protests, saying demonstrations would not lead to development.

Tourism minister Ahmed Adeeb, housing minister Dr Muiz, and more than 25 PPM MPs accompanied the president during the trip. The delegation also visited Madduvari and Muli in Meemu atoll.

According to the president’s office, the president met the people of the three Meemu atoll islands and inquired about the difficulties being faced by the residents. ‎

“Addressing the people of the islands, the president mainly ‎highlighted the developmental projects to be carried out in the islands,” the president’s office said.

“The ‎president also reiterated the government’s commitment to realise the ‎developmental aspirations of the people. Further, the president underscored ‎the importance of receiving greater cooperation, and the significance of a ‎peaceful and harmonious society for the successful implementation of such ‎developmental projects.‎”

The PPM has previously been accused of bribery over the delivery of an x-ray machine to Muli last week.

The government has also signed an agreement with state-owned Maldives Transport and Construction Company to build a harbour in Dhiggaru.

The ruling party was previously also accused of vote-buying after openly handing over air-conditioners to a school in Raa Atoll Alifushi, shortly before an island council by-election.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

PPM conditions development on by-election win

The ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has conditioned the development of five islands in the Meemu Atoll Dhiggaru constituency on a by-election win for the party on June 6.

Speaking at a rally on Tuesday night, PPM MP and parliamentary group leader Ahmed Nihan promised to include funds in the 2016 state budget for Dhiggaru constituency development if the PPM candidate Faris Maumoon is elected with more than 70 percent of the vote.

“God willing, if you elect Faris with over 70 percent of the votes we will include the extra money needed to develop projects of Dhihgaru constituency,” the Vilimalé MP said.

Faris is the son of PPM leader and former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and the nephew of president Abdulla Yameen.

The by-election was triggered by the jailing of former MP Ahmed Nazim, also a PPM member. He was convicted of defrauding the former atolls ministry and imprisoned for life.

The Dhiggaru constituency is a PPM stronghold.

Nihan said the people of Maduvvari, Dhiggaru, Muli, Veyvah and Raimandhoo are casting votes for their future development.

“On June 6 the people of Dhiggaru constituency is not deciding the future of PPM. They are not deciding to give a parliament seat to Faris. The people of Dhihgaru constituency are deciding the development of their constituency.

“I say to the grandmothers and grandfathers, our candidate Faris is the candidate number four. Probably it will be the last in the list. Tick the box only after careful consideration. Then, we will continue the development efforts of the constituency with Faris. PPM parliamentary group promises it.”

Some 2,555 people are eligible to vote in the by-election.

However, Nihan also said the government will not discriminate against constituencies which elected members of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

“We cannot discriminate against a certain group of people just because they have members of the MDP. The president wants development for all areas of Maldives without discrimination,” he said.

The PPM also announced MP Abdul Raheem Abdulla will gift air conditioning systems for the Dhiggaru mosques.

“Abduhraheem told me he had decided to gift eight air-condition system to the mosque by Ramadan. By coincidence this falls in to the period of Faris’s campaigning. But that’s totally different,” Nihan said.

Ruling coalition partner the Maldives Development Alliance has also decided to gift eight air conditioning systems to Madduvari Island, he announced.

“Isn’t this the joy of the vote?”

The by-election is expected to be hotly contested amid heightened political tension following the jailing of former president Mohamed Nasheed and ex-defence minister Mohamed Nazim as well as the alleged unfair targeting of JP leader Gasim Ibrahim’s business interests.

The PPM has previously been accused of bribery over the delivery of an x-ray machine to Muli last week.

The government has also signed an agreement with state-owned Maldives Transport and Construction Company to build a harbour in Dhiggaru.

The ruling party was previously also accused of vote-buying after a high-profile handout of air-conditioners to a school in Raa Atoll Alifushi, shortly before an island council by-election.

The PPM and MDA hold a majority of the 85 member house with 48 MPs. The MDP now has 21 MPs and the opposition Jumhooree Party has 10 seats.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

PPM accused of bribery over x-ray machine

The ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has been accused of bribery for delivering an x-ray machine to the island of Muli in Meemu Atoll two weeks ahead of a parliamentary by-election.

PPM parliamentary group leader Ahmed Nihan said the government had delivered an x-ray machine to Muli, in the Dhiggaru constituency, and urged islanders to vote for PPM candidate Faris Maumoon.

“The government fulfills its pledges, vote for our candidate Faris Maumoon,” he said in a tweet yesterday.

The tweet triggered accusations of bribery, with one Twitter user describing the move as “cannibalism.”

Others questioned if the state had also paid for a radiologist at the island hospital.

One highlighted the distribution of air conditioners in Raa Atoll Alifushi before an island council by-election in April, and said the donation of x-ray machines to Muli were similar.

“Islanders only needs x-ray machine when the Malé man needs a vote,” another said, referring to the lingering discrimination between islanders and residents of Malé.

“The x-ray machine will only gather dust. A technical will only be set for the next election. That is OK, one at a time,” June Rasheed said.

However, speaking to Minivan News today, Nihan said funds for the x-ray machines was allocated in the 2015 budget, and described the move as “a service to the people.”

“This is a government which makes promises and fulfills them. That is why the people should vote for Faris Maumoon in the upcoming election,” said Nihan.

The government has also signed an agreement with state-owned Maldives Transport and Construction Company to build to harbors in the Dhiggaru constituency.

“All of these projects were included in the budget, after the former MP asked for the development projects for his constituency,” he said.

The by-election, scheduled for June 6, was triggered by the conviction of former PPM MP Ahmed Nazim on corruption charges. The Supreme Court had stripped Nazim of his seat after sentencing him to 25 years in prison on April 6 for defrauding the state of MVR1.4 million (US$91,400).

Former President Maumoon Abdull Gayyoom’s son Faris secured the ruling party ticket after winning a primary with 67 percent of the vote against Meemu atoll council president.

Another PPM atoll councillor, Moosa Naseer Ahmed, is also contesting the by-election as an independent candidate. The third candidate is the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party’s Ahmed Raazee.

The ruling part was previously also accused of vote-buying after a high-profile handout of air-conditioners to a school in Raa Atoll Alifushi, shortly before a council by-election.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Gayoom denies PPM split over Dhiggaru by-election

Former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has denied rumours that a faction within the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) is supporting independent candidate Moosa Naseer Ahmed in the upcoming Dhiggaru constituency parliamentary by-election.

Naseer, a Meemu atoll councillor and vice president of the Local Government Authority, had sought the ruling party’s ticket last month, but withdrew his candidacy ahead of the primary.

Gayoom’s eldest son, Ahmed Faris Maumoon, won the primary with a margin of 147 votes after competing against another Meemu atoll councillor.

Speaking to reporters yesterday upon his return to Malé after launching Faris’ campaign in Meemu atoll, Gayoom said he does not believe that senior PPM members encouraged Naseer to run as an independent.

Gayoom, leader of the PPM, said he enjoys strong support in Meemu atoll and that he expects to win the vacant Dhiggaru constituency parliament seat.

Gayoom said he was not aware that any member of PPM was working against Faris, adding that president Abdulla Yameen could not attend the campaign launching due to a heavy schedule.

Naseer was meanwhile expelled from the PPM on Monday by the party’s disciplinary committee.

PPM secretary general Mohamed Tholal told newspaper Haveeru that Naseer was dismissed for breaching the party’s charter by standing as an independent after the party chose its candidate through a primary.

Naseer had had told online news outlet CNM last week that he decided to contest as an independent at the behest of Dhiggaru constituents, who he said wanted a Meemu atoll or Dhiggaru native as their MP.

Naseer had represented Meemu atoll in the Special Majlis from 1983 to 1996 and served as the Meemu atoll member of the People’s Majlis from 1996 to 2000.

The by-election, triggered by a 25-year jail sentence handed down to former PPM MP Ahmed Nazim, is scheduled to take place on June 6.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

PPM councillor to contest Dhiggaru by-election as independent

A Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) atoll councillor is contesting the upcoming by-election for the vacant Dhiggaru constituency parliament seat as an independent candidate.

Moosa Naseer Ahmed, also vice president of the Local Government Authority, had sought the ruling party’s ticket earlier this month, but withdrew his candidacy before last Friday’s primary.

Ex-president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s son, Faris Maumoon, won the primary with a margin of 147 votes after competing against a Meemu atoll councillor.

Gayoom, also leader of the PPM, told the press yesterday that the Dhiggaru seat was important for the party as cooperation from parliament is necessary to implement president Abdulla Yameen’s policies.

PPM deputy leader Ahmed Adeeb said the party’s goal was to win the by-election with a large margin of victory. The whole government was behind Faris, he added.

Naseer meanwhile told online news outlet CNM yesterday that he decided to contest as an independent at the behest of Dhiggaru constituents, who he said wanted a Meemu atoll or Dhiggaru native as their MP.

Naseer had represented Meemu atoll in the Special Majlis from 1983 to 1996 and served as the Meemu atoll member of the People’s Majlis from 1996 to 2000.

The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) candidate, Ahmed Razee, meanwhile filed his candidacy papers today.

Razee won the MDP ticket by default yesterday after the only other contender – ‘3A’ Ibrahim Jihad – in the primary scheduled for Monday dropped out.

According to newspaper Haveeru, a second independent candidate, Shameem Ali, has also submitted candidacy papers at the Elections Commission before a 3:00pm deadline lapsed today.

The by-election, triggered by a 25-year jail sentence handed down to former ruling party MP Ahmed Nazim, is scheduled to take place on June 6.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Faris Maumoon secures PPM ticket for Dhiggaru by-election

Former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s son, Ahmed Faris Maumoon, has secured the ruling party’s ticket to contest the upcoming by-election for the vacant Dhiggaru constituency parliament seat.

Faris won a primary of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) held yesterday after competing against Meemu atoll council president Moosa Naseer.

Faris won the contest with 288 votes (66.98 percent) while Naseer received 140 votes (32.71). A total of 428 valid ballots were cast.

Polling took place in four of the five islands that make up the Dhiggaru constituency in Meemu atoll as well as in Malé.

Faris is a nephew of president Abdulla Yameen and a state minister at the ministry of economic development. His father, ex-president Gayoom, is also the leader of the PPM.

Three other candidates who initially sought the ruling party’s ticket withdrew their candidacies last week, including Meemu atoll councillor Moosa Naseer Ahmed and deputy environment minister Mohamed Hanim.

A primary of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is due to take place tomorrow to select a candidate to represent the main opposition party in the by-election.

The by-election, triggered by a 25-year jail sentence handed down to former ruling party MP Ahmed Nazim, is scheduled to take place on June 6.

Contestants must file candidacy papers at the Elections Commission before the end of April.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Gayoom’s son seeks PPM ticket for Dhiggaru by-election

Former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s eldest son, Farish Maumoon, is seeking the ruling party’s ticket for the upcoming by-election for the vacant Dhiggaru constituency parliament seat.

The by-election, scheduled for June 6, was triggered by the conviction of former Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) MP Ahmed Nazim on corruption charges. The Supreme Court sentenced Nazim to 25 years in prison on April 6 for defrauding the state of MVR1.4 million (US$91,400).

Ahead of a 4:00pm deadline today, four others have submitted applications to contest the primary, including Meemu atoll councillor Moosa Naseer, Imran Ismail, Moosa Naseer Ahmed, and deputy environment minister Mohamed Hanim.

The candidates are to be first vetted on their loyalty to the party, role in campaigning for the party’s candidate in the 2013 presidential election, and the duration of membership in the party.

A primary will only take place if more than one candidate receives over 75 percent or higher.

The opposition coalition, made up of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party, religious conservative Adhaalath Party, and leaders of the Jumhooree Party, are meanwhile holding discussions on fielding a single candidate.

Adhaalath spokesperson Ali Zahir told the press today that he will contest the by-election.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Faris Maumoon appointed PPM Media Coordinator

Minister of State for Economic Development Faris Maumoon has been appointed as media coordinator for the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).

Faris – son of former President and PPM leader Maumoon Abdul Gayoom – was nominated for the role at a party meeting held yesterday evening (January 19), reports media.

The position is said to have been vacant up to now, but is mandated within the party’s regulations.

It was also reported that the party agreed to hold a meeting of its national council next year.

Source: Sun Online, Raajje.mv

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)