Fayyaz Ismail accuses President of wanting autocracy but lacking intelligence to lead

Former Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Chairman Fayyaz Ismail has accused President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of seeking to rule autocratically, but said he lacks the intelligence and wisdom required to lead even a small country like Maldives.  

Speaking at Ali Azim’s campaign rally on Thursday evening, Fayyaz criticized the President’s order to question expatriates on the streets after midnight. He recalled that years ago police questioned people after 10 p.m., and said the practice is now being revived, beginning with expatriates.  

“What the government really wants is to stop the people from criticizing President Muizzu and suppress opposition in various ways,” Fayyaz said.  

He noted that in some countries authoritarian governments have delivered results, but only when led by intelligent leaders. In his view, President Muizzu does not have the capacity to govern effectively.  

“All of us people are going poor,” Fayyaz said, adding that his biggest concern now is whether he can survive under the current administration.  

“What matters to me at the moment is neither the comfort of the city nor the difficulties the people of Maldives face in various islands. I wonder where Maldives will be at the end of these next three years,” he said.  

Fayyaz further warned that the country’s debt has grown to unsustainable levels and that the government has no plan to repay it. He said the domestic economy has collapsed, small businesses have stopped, and ordinary people are suffering more than ever before.