No Maldivian should participate in the MDP gathering: Gasim

Leader of Jumhooree Party and Maamigili MP Gasim Ibrahim has called on Maldivian people to avoid participating in MDP’s upcoming mass protest, entitled “Trip to Justice”.

Gasim said that this gathering planned for 17 February will befall destruction and damage upon Maldivian people.

“No Maldivian should participate in the protest planned by MDP for 17 February. This will only destroy and damage us, I ask you to not participate in this,” the Jumhooree Party presidential candidate for Presidential Elections 2013 said.

He said the protests by opposition groups, on the other hand, are conducted to defend the country’s judicial system and religion, and these protests must continue until success is achieved. Gasim, who acted as Special Majlis President when the new constitution was constructed, said that these protests must also be conducted within the limits of the law.

Referring to the Parliament’s National Security Committee meeting held last night, Gasim said that the public is aware of why these meetings are held.

“They summon people to the committee who try to blame the judiciary, and try to show that the current unrest is the fault of the judiciary. There is no confusion about the fact that these meetings are held to destroy the dignity and honor of the courts,” Gasim said.

He said that the government will not succeed in appointing their preferred people as Judges to the courts, and that people from all over the country should demonstrate against this.

“Participation in these protests should increase with every additional night, in order to achieve our goal. This jihad should continue. The judiciary is at stake. If the judiciary is destroyed, we lose our religion. We have already seen evidence of this by the worship idols set up in Addu,” Gasim said.

He talked about the previous presidential elections and said that Dr Hassan Saeed, Adhaalath Party and himself were responsible for obtaining 54 percent votes in the second round for President Nasheed, who attained a mere 25 percent in the first round. Gasim himself received 15.3 percent in the first round.

Since none of the other groups whose collaboration facilitated Nasheed’s victory in the elections are with Nasheed any longer, Gasim called for Nasheed to step down without damaging the country any further.

“Step down without imposing further damage on the Maldivian people! Step down!” Gasim said repeatedly last night.