The Maldivian Military shall be a professional force, says Defence Minister

Defence Minister Mohamed Naazim has said today that he will keep doing all that needs to be done to make the Maldivian Military a professional force.

Speaking at a special ceremony held today at Bandaarakoshi, the central Headquarters of the Maldives National Defence Forces, to mark the 120th anniversary of the armed force, Defence Minister said that many activities had been planned to increase professionalism among the military. He said that these activities included the enhancement of MNDF administration, and efforts to increase the academic and military capacity of the armed forces.

Nazim also said that policies in giving promotion to members of the armed forces would be revised and that the attitude of ‘mission-first, men-always’ would be developed in the MNDF administration.

The Defence Minister also said that the armed forces needed a moral compass to direct them in a disturbed democratic environment, and that the compass should be based on the Constitution of the nation.

“We should always give priority to the nation over our own selves. We must use such a compass to take the right direction, and remain away from prejudices. In order to strengthen the ranks of the armed forces, all members should be kind, helpful and caring towards one another, and work as members of one family”, said the Minister.

The Minister also said that the members of the armed forces should always be conscious of the fact that they work towards one target, to achieve one purpose, sharing one way of thinking, in order to complete a mission. He said that the armed forces should be very well aware of the various attempts to influence them.

Nazim also said that there might be challenges for the MNDF from inside the country and outside as well, and that to stand against such challenges, the armed forces need to work as one. He also said that there could be ideological challenges, against which the members of MNDF needed to be aware on the basis of the beautiful preaching of Islam.

On the occasion of the 120th anniversary of the Maldivian armed forces, a special program to donate blood to thalassemia children would be conducted, and a parade would also take place this evening, on major streets of Malé. Also, the Sifaufaa concert would be conducted as well.