Maumoon: Abdul Sattar served selflessly

Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has said that the late Abdul Sattar Moosa Didi served the government selflessly, without any personal agenda.

Maumoon tweeted that he was overcome with deep sadness over the death of Abdul Sattar – who had served the government as a cabinet minister for 12 year’s during Maumoon’s administration.

“…Honorable Abdul Sattar Moosa Didi was a noble individual who served government selflessly and with the highest level of integrity for over 50 years,” tweeted Maumoon.

Abdul Sattar, 79, died Friday night at Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bankok, Thailand.

A patriot who was bestowed the highest honor by the State, Abdul Sattar played a key role in securing Maldivian independence from under the thumb of British Empire.

Former President Ibrahim Nasir had gifted Abdul Sattar the pen with which he signed the agreement to secure the country’s independence on July 26, 1965 – a perfect symbol of the key role Abdul Sattar had played during those turbulent times, and the nation’s appreciation of his service.

Abdul Sattar is survived by a wife and three children – a son and two daughters.

Maldivian national flag at Republic Square and government offices have been lowered to half-mast as the whole nation mourns the loss.