Saleem rejects car and security that comes with new role as Deputy Speaker

Ahmed Saleem (Redwave Saleem), who was elected as the Parliament’s Deputy Speaker last week, says he does not want the car and security that comes with his new role, but wishes to serve his tenure in a “simple” manner.

Addressing a rally at the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) center in Male’ on Tuesday night, Saleem, the owner of the supermarket chain Redwave, said he is not someone who wishes to live “the high life”.

Saleem said that the Parliament’s secretariat had called about arranging a car for him, but he refused.

“I said I will go there [to the Parliament] as I usually do, on the back of someone’s motorcycle. Therefore, I am not someone who wishes to live the high life,” he said.

Saleem added that his security was up to “my Maker”, and that he requires no additional security.

Saleem said that the members of the PNC were all patriots, and were not pretentious.

He said that the recent decision by Moosa Zameer to resign from his post as finance minister due to his poor health and allow someone else capable to fill in was proof of this.

Saleem was elected as the Deputy Speaker on June 1, a day after Ahmed Nazim resigned from the role in face of a no-confidence motion by the PNC.

Saleem said that the Deputy Speaker role wasn’t something he vied for, but took up the mantle in order to maintain the party’s interests and solidarity.

According to him, the competition had been high for the Deputy Speaker seat, with several PNC members showing interest. He said that they all later agreed to back Saleem for the role.

Saleem said he had been in Mecca for the annual hajj pilgrimage at the time.

He also said that he places greater importance on his national service than on his private business.