Former Home Minister Umar Naseer has voiced concern about political parties engaging in business activities. Umar’s statement comes while the opposing Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s National Assembly has decided to pursue business ventures to boost their income.
In a social media post, Umar described the perception in the Maldives that political parties can engage in businesses, provide medical treatment, distribute free aid and other such activities as a harmful mindset.
“This has normalized corruption and illegal profiteering in party-led governments. Parties conducting business will only make the situation worse,” Umar said.
Umar further noted that since political parties were formed in the Maldives, it has become common for investors and local businesses to give bribes under the guise of ‘assistance’ for the parties. As the 20th anniversary of multi-party democracy approaches, the system has not benefited the country, he said.
“The parties have benefited. The country is in debt because the parties are distributing jobs, islands, land, flats to those affiliated to them, they distribute government contracts in this manner— No matter what party is in power, each party loots the entire state for five years until the end of their term,” Umar said.
As a result, this has undermined the values of hard work and diligence, said Umar. He added that people now prefer doing party work over striving to earn through hard work as they are confident of landing high-paying jobs which require little effort if their party comes into power.
Umar added that the multi-party system has only resulted in wasteful projects, unnecessary jobs and rampant corruption. There is no new slogan or lesson a party can introduce, he said. Umar, who contested the 2023 presidential election as an independent candidate, predicted that the people will say reject all political parties in the 2028 presidential election.
