Security Services would not be politicized, says the President

President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik has said today that he would never let political influences to be imposed on the Maldives Police Service and the Maldives National Defence Force.

President’s assurance came in his speech at a meeting with Police and MNDF personnel at Addu City today. The President is in Addu City in his first tour out of Malé after assumption of office on the 7th of this month.

The President met Police and MNDF units of the Southern Command, during the afternoon, at their Headquarters at Gan, Addu City.

The President assured the security forces that he would not issue any illegal orders on them. “Recently, we have seen that picture”, said the President, referring to the events that led to former President Nasheed’s resignation. Nasheed had to resign after his Administration continuously issued unconstitutional and unlawful orders on the police and MNDF, and the latter ultimately refused to carry out any illegal orders.

“We should not have seen that picture. My hope is that never again in this nation of ours shall the Police and MNDF should undergo that experience”, said the President.

In his speech, the President highlighted on the remarkable national service being provided by the Police and the MNDF, and said that they were the bravest young men of the country. He said that both Police and MNDF were working with professionalism, and that the whole nation would always appreciate the hard work they did in protecting the nation, and keeping law and order in the society.

“I do not think that any Maldivian should doubt your services to us”, said the President.

After meeting with the Police and MNDF, the President visited Maradhoofeydhoo and Marhadhoo, where he witnessed the destruction caused to courthouses and police stations by former President Nasheed’s party activists and supporters, in exasperation when Nasheed resigned from office.