Qasim: MDP trying to ‘put a lid on’ any talk regarding the debt it accumulated

The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has been trying ‘to put a lid on’ any talk regarding the debt it accumulated during the last administration, says Qasim Ibrahim, the leader of Jumhoory Party (JP) and parliamentary representative for Maamigili constituency.

Speaking during parliamentary debate on the state debt bill on Wednesday, Qasim said that it is useless to talk about which administration is to blame for the high debt.

But then he went out to criticize the MDP administration – which his own party, JP, had been a part of, as a coalition partner.

Qasim said that it had been the MDP administration which had increased the debt.

“…So, who was it that took on such large sums for temporary, short-term? Even if it was taken by the PPM administration, who was it that enrolled it? It was the last administration! It was MDP! They spent the USD 200 million that the PPM administration took, and were close to finishing the a USD 200 million that they [MDP] took. It is not right to try to put a lid on it every time to start to talk about this. We must talk about this,” he said.

Qasim also accused the MDP administration of hiring a large number of people to state-run State Electric Company (STELCO) and Fenaka Corporation ahead of the 2023 presidential elections.

Qasim said that the state must roll out reforms to improve the country’s economic and financial situation, and must take necessary action against state-owned enterprises and unnecessary appointments.

He said that the Parliament was ready to take all necessary action, and also welcomes all such measures by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

JP had pulled out of the coalition ahead of the 2023 presential elections. However, Qasim’s wife and JP’s deputy leader, Aishath Nahula, had remained in the cabinet as transport minister until the end of the term.