Yameen says it is time to seek ‘the other Maldives’, backs non‑PNC candidates

Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom said on Thursday that it is time to search for “Aneh Dhivehi-Raajje” (the other Maldives), echoing a phrase previously used by former president Mohamed Nasheed. He said he supports all candidates except those from the ruling PNC in the upcoming local council elections.

Speaking at the ‘Chagoas’ rally organised by his party, the People’s National Front (PNF), Yameen said statements made by presidents must be taken seriously. He repeated that the current state of the country leaves no choice but to “find the other Maldives”.

“I’m thinking of something a president who has been among us, who still speaks, once said. That now we have to find another Maldives. Indeed, we have to head to the other Maldives now,” Yameen said.

Yameen argued that the country’s system, built on the constitution, laws, and long‑standing customs, had failed not because of structural flaws, but because of the corruption and incompetence of those who came to run it.

He said every institutional pathway had become “one‑way”, leaving no room for progress.

“The road to implement the Constitution, the road to institutions, everywhere has been made one way. If you enter a road, there is no way forward except the one way to Dhimyath. So where do we look to find another way?” he said.

Yameen also criticised the judiciary, saying the justice system had deteriorated to a state “worse than corruption”. He said Maldivians had long relied on the courts for relief, but his own experience showed the system was deeply compromised.

“Maldives’ justice system is blimey. It is not a place where people can go to seek relief. It is in a condition worse than corruption. They destroyed it themselves,” he said.

He questioned why Supreme Court judges were now speaking publicly about issues they could have addressed while in office, referring to cases being dismissed without hearings based on decisions by the Registrar.

Yameen said the country’s institutions had been weakened to the point that people were left with no option but to seek “another Maldives”.

“At this point, I am also saying that we have to find another Maldives again,” he said.

Expressing concern over the current political landscape, Yameen urged voters to deliver a strong rejection of the PNC in the upcoming local council elections. He said the government, parliament, and major city councils were given power by the people, yet the public had not benefited.

He said he therefore supports all non‑PNC candidates.

“I have my support for non‑PNC candidates,” he said, adding humorously that there was no point in giving councils to the PNC.