I hope that a president

Former minister Ilyas Ibrahim has said that he hopes that a person who holds the post of president does not ‘use different scales’, meaning that a president should not discriminate among people.

Ilyas said this in an interview with Sun Online today.

“In response to former President Nasheed’s remarks, I would like to say that I hope that a person who holds the post of president does not use different weighing scales, and I hope that a president does not discriminate among people, and I also hope that he does not make such remarks,” said Ilyas.

Referring to Nasheed’s comments whereby he said that he had hoped that Ilyas would stay away from politics after he was conferred an award of honour by the State, Ilyas said that that is Nasheed’s opinion.

Ilyas said that just like every other Maldivian citizen, he has the right to vote and support the candidate of his choice, and that he has not done anything other than support a particular candidate.

Speaking at a rally held by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in Gaafu Alifu Dhaandhoo recently, former President Mohamed Nasheed said that his government conferred Ilyas Ibrahim his due honour. Nasheed implied in his remarks that his government conferred this honour on Ilyas so that as a result, Ilyas might decide to ‘stay away’ from politics.

“What I want to say to Ilyas tonight is, you have been honoured by the State, please remember that the same scale is used to weigh everyone [everyone is treated equally]. […] There are people who have been honoured by the state, and they should keep their actions a certain way. I was hoping that unlike several other people, he would know, with his honour, to stay away from politics. I want to repeat, and tell you that the same scale will be used to weigh everyone,” said Nasheed.