Former President Abdulla Yameen asserted that criticizing leaders for alleged theft is not defamation, vowing to continue speaking out on such issues. Speaking at a PNF party event, Yameen’s comments followed the purchase of a MVR 28 million land plot by ruling PNC’s parliamentary group leader, Ibrahim Falah.
Yameen affirmed his support for protecting reputations but maintained that exposing corruption by public officials is not defamation. He emphasized that public officials take an oath to serve the people and that any deviation from this duty will be met with public scrutiny.
He then highlighted Falah’s land purchase, questioning why it wasn’t receiving more attention and alleging potential money laundering due to missing details in Falah’s financial statement. Yameen noted Falah’s declared income and questioned the omission of the land purchase if the funds were obtained legitimately.
Yameen reiterated that criticizing lawmakers’ transactions is a social responsibility, not defamation. He accused the government of attempting to silence criticism through the media control bill but insisted that individuals involved in corruption could still be exposed.
He urged officials to disclose their income sources, warning that failure to do so would raise suspicions. Yameen stated his commitment to speaking out against officials committing significant crimes.
He also pointed out that people would question the lifestyle of government officials if it did not align with their assets or income.
The Civil Court confirmed Falah’s purchase of a 3,250 square feet plot in Hulhumale’ Phase II for MVR 28,782,000. Falah had also announced the purchase of additional land plots and properties, along with a significant loan from BML.
The financial statements of lawmakers, including large sums of “gifts,” have already sparked public outrage, with Yameen alleging these “gifts” are actually bribes.
