Yameen: Government's actions indicate intent to conceal

Former President Abdullah Yameen stated on Thursday evening that the government's efforts to control the media suggest numerous concealed issues. 

He made these remarks during a meeting at the People's National Front (PNF) office, addressing the bill proposed by government-affiliated Thulhaadhoo Constituency Independent MP Abdul Hannan Abubakr.

Yameen commented that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's recent meeting with reporters on Thursday was a result of having exhausted other options. He urged the President to thoroughly investigate and address the concerns raised by journalists.

He also critically assessed the President's statement that he did not wish to control the media or wield the powers of the commission established under the proposed Control Bill.

Yameen said, "There are parallels to this even if he denies; the president of the Election Commission is appointed by Muizzu, as is the president of the ACC. In the past, the presidents of such places were chosen through a vote among the members, but now Muizzu controls all these positions. And now he is saying, he does not want it that way, even if the bill says it."

Yameen emphasized that by appointing heads to crucial independent institutions, the President is effectively controlling their operations, leading Yameen to question the sincerity of President Muizzu's statements.

Furthermore, Yameen referenced remarks made by Inguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falah in parliament, who called for journalists to be "impaled." Yameen highlighted the disparity in treatment, noting that ordinary citizens face terrorism charges for online death threats, while Falah remains unquestioned.

Yameen then shifted his focus to the discrimination concerning human dignity between ordinary citizens and public office holders. He asserted, "However, we are talking about a specific group of individuals who possess human dignity; this concerns individuals in public office. If they are adorned under Islamic garments, we must not mention such things. Talk of thefts ignored, must overlook the issues stemming from land disputes, or even when they slice chunks of money away. These are not included among Islamic values. Therefore, if one abandons discipline and shows cruelty towards the people, accusations will be directed at those in public office, and this should not be viewed as a personal insult or slander."

He argued that with the current lack of institutions capable of holding the government accountable, the media serves as a vital independent force. Yameen believes the government's attempts to control the media are an effort to "put a lid on" their wrongdoings.

Yameen concluded by stating that public discourse about government leaders arises from "stains on the hems of leaders' clothes."

He questioned the necessity of a media control bill, asking, "If the point is to regulate the media, shouldn't it be left to the media?" He reiterated that the core issue is the government's need to silence major crimes they have committed, adding that the public will inevitably discuss the mistakes of those in public office.

"Therefore, there are many things that these people wish to bury and hide, otherwise they would not behave like this," he said.