President Yameen: Does MDP have any values?

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has question whether the main opposition political party in the country – Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) was based on any values at all.

President Yameen made the dig against MDP this Wednesday morning, during his visit to Sh. Kanditheem to officially inaugurate the island’s sewerage system.

He said that a political party was not a business, and should be based on a set of values.

“My understanding is that a political party is not a company. A political party is a set of values. A political party has a vision for the people, and a set of values. The people will only accept the set of values based on confidence in the ability of those who profess to maintain the set of values to actually deliver,” said President Yameen.

He questioned whether the main opposition party, MDP had any values at all.

“We are seeing is some other political parties – especially the main opposition party… I want to ask, is it based on any values at all? It would be good, if they want to grab the attention of more citizens, to base themselves on a set of values and do something which is of value to the people,” said President Yameen.

He said that a party run on a good set of values will see a boost in membership. He said that the ruling political party in Maldives – Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) was exemplary on that front.

President Yameen said that despite the conflicts within PPM, it was still based on a set of values which was acceptable to the people.

He said that opposition party’s which wish to hold the government accountable needed to first base themselves on a set of values acceptable to the people.

He said that a party can only come into power after putting a lot of effort into boosting the confidence of the people in its ability to deliver.

President Yameen, who is currently on a trip covering H. Dh. Atoll and Sh. Atoll is scheduled to visit H. Dh. Makunudhoo next.