Yameen says no corrupt person can remain with him and claims presidents with corrupt circles lose public trust

Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has said that a leader cannot earn public trust if he surrounds himself with corrupt individuals, and that he would never keep such people around him.

Speaking at a PNF Town Hall rally held Saturday evening, Yameen urged the public to consider why he is “different” from other leaders. Without elaborating further, he said corrupt people cannot remain in his circle.

“There are no corrupt people with President Yameen. Adeeb is the best example. As soon as I found out, I cut it off,” Yameen said, referring to former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Ghafoor.

Adeeb was convicted in connection with the MMPRC corruption scandal, the largest corruption case in Maldivian history, and was later pardoned by the administration of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

On May 15, during the three president's alliance press conference, Solih said Adeeb’s pardon did not prevent the current government from recovering state funds lost in the MMPRC scandal. Yameen strongly criticised Solih over that remark.

Yameen also accused both Solih and President Dr Mohamed Muizzu of being surrounded by corrupt individuals, alleging that the presidents themselves benefit from keeping such people close.

“Why did neither Solih nor this government take action against people like Fazul Rasheed and Muaz Mohamed Rasheed, when everyone talked about their corruption? It’s because the leader gets a share of it too,” Yameen said.

According to Yameen, if the people closest to a leader are corrupt or incompetent, the public will not trust that leader, nor believe that he will act in the public interest.

Meanwhile, Yameen is currently facing ongoing legal proceedings. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear part of the case related to the lease of V. Aarah next month. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison in December 2022, but the High Court overturned the conviction due to serious procedural issues and ordered a retrial.

In a separate case, the High Court is hearing charges related to USD 1 million deposited into Yameen’s account. Hearings were concluded for the second time on January 20 after a year-long process.