Progressive party of the Maldives (PPM) has assured that bribing lawmakers, confronting security officials, assaulting journalists and manipulating diplomatic stakeholders cannot reverse plummeting public support for the opposition. The statement was made by the spokesperson of the ruling party, parliamentarian Ali Arif while speaking to the press.
Strongly condemning Tuesday's catalogue of constitutional and legal violations in the Capital, Male' that were masterminded by the joint opposition alliance; Ali Arif told the reporters that the scenes of yesterday are a clear indication of opposition's desperation.
Ali Arif stated that bribing lawmakers, confronting security officials, assaulting journalists and manipulating diplomatic stakeholders, scaling the perimeter walls of the parliament, circulating misinformation to foreign press and diplomatic mission and such tactics prove that opposition leaders themselves believe that they cannot unseat incumbent President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom in a free and fair election next year. The parliamentarian added that members of the parliament are not above the law and that security forces are mandated by law to maintain law and order and to protect the Parliament Complex.
Moreover, he highlighted the support provided by the public on Tuesday's catalogue and thanked the public for their show if support in rejecting calls by opposition to take to the streets and confront the police. Parliamentarian Arif called on the authorities for legal action against the perpetrators, to avoid future violations of the Constitutional, governing laws and parliamentary rules of procedure.