President says youth avoid politics because they see it as 'dirty'

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu says many young Maldivians are turning away from politics because they perceive it as “dirty,” even though political work is fundamentally clean when the country is placed first.

Speaking at the PNC Congress 2026 on Tuesday evening, President Muizzu said political work carries no inherent wrongdoing, but that today’s youth have come to view political activity as “very dirty.”

“Young people think politics is dirty. But if you put the country first, political work is very clean. That is the direction of our party.”

He said political work must be rooted in national interest, and that prioritizing the Maldives is the only way to ensure responsible leadership.

“We can only reach a Maldives that belongs to Maldivians by putting Maldivians first.”

The President said some opposition figures, caught in political currents, take actions that harm the country in an attempt to harm rival parties. He added that he chooses to believe such actions are not intentional, because all political actors are Maldivians.

He urged PNC members, and the public, to remember that political differences do not change the fact that everyone belongs to the same nation. He said the country must be developed so the future of children becomes brighter.

President Muizzu said some politicians have acted irresponsibly in the past, and called for such behavior to be abandoned.

He said the country’s social fabric has weakened, and that the issue cannot be solved by him or the PNC alone.

“Some political leaders are here today. We are preparing to launch a national respect campaign. Unfortunately, only the PNC is participating. Why is that? This is the country each of us belongs to. Let us all speak the same language on national matters. That is what will bring prosperity.”

He said unity on national issues would bring peace and development, and added that political stability has been established since he came to power. As proof, he said no political leaders are imprisoned and that freedom of expression and assembly remain unhindered.