Defence Ministry calls for action against those who incite discord among MNDF personnel

The Ministry of Defence and National Security has called on relevant authorities to take action against those groups that incite discord and strife, and discourage solidarity among the personnel of Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).

In a statement issued today, the ministry said that the parties responsible for these efforts are TV channels and operators of other forms of media.

Defence Ministry strongly condemned these activities which violate the Constitution and the law, and called on Maldives Broadcasting Corporation and Maldives Media Council to take action against those responsible.

“The ministry believes that it is the responsibility of the Maldives Broadcasting Corporation and Maldives Media Council, although no complaint has been filed, to put an end to the spread of false reports that incite discord among a group of people who are under oath to protect the religion, the nation and the Maldivian people,” reads the statement.

This statement comes at a time when some media groups have reported a letter sent by an MNDF officer to Minister of Defence Mohamed Nazim, expressing discontent over the actions of the security forces.

Also, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) recently said that efforts are under way to obtain cooperation from the police and the MNDF, in ensuring that MDP presidential candidate, former president Mohamed Nasheed, who gained most votes in the first round of the presidential election, becomes president on 11 November 2013 if no one else is elected as presidential by then.