Gayoom to receive highest honour awarded by the State

Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has said that the government has decided to present former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom with the highest honour awarded by the State.

Speaking at a press conference at the PPM Office today, PPM Vice President Abdullah Abdul Raheem said that the government’s cabinet secretary sent a message yesterday stating that the cabinet had decided during their meeting yesterday, to present the highest honour awarded by the State to Gayoom.

“President Waheed’s cabinet secretary sent a message yesterday, saying that the cabinet had decided yesterday to present the highest honour awarded by the State [the title of Ghaazee] to Gayoom,” said Abdullah Abdul Raheem.

Abdullah Abdul Raheem expressed happiness over this decision, and said that Gayoom would be the most worthy person in the Maldives to receive this title.

He said that this decision by the government might be politicised at the moment by some groups, but it is a decision that should have been made a long time ago.

“I think this should have been the first decision made by the person who assumed office after Gayoom. That is, to present the highest honour awarded by the State to Gayoom,” he said.

This has also been confirmed by the government; Press Secretary at the President’s Office Masood Imad said that this honour would be presented to Gayoom on 26 July, at the event held to mark the Independence Day.