President remains in office for religion and country, says PPM

Coalition of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) has said Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik decided to remain in office after the 12:00 a.m. deadline, for religion and country.

Speaking at a press conference on the occasion of Victory Day, PPM council member MP Ahmed Nihan said that President’s Waheed’s decision was “an enormous step” for the country and religion, similar in importance to his decision to step up to the presidency on 7 February 2012.

“In principle, there is nothing he could gain, nothing that he could profit from. Sons (of the country) such as him are few,” MP Nihan said.

Deputy leader of the religiously conservative Adhaalath Party Dr Mauroof Hussain said if the president resigned last night, the country would have been handed over “to the hands of animals in hunting.” He commended President Waheed for the bravery in his decision.

“We do realize the pressure he is under, internationally and domestically. He was forced, almost forced to resign from the presidency and let the country go, to hand it over to Nasheed and his allies. But I compliment him for his brave decision, based on the pleas of the people,” Dr Mauroof Hussain said.