President Mohamed Nasheed has said that investigating or charging any person will not be a personal vendetta. The President made this statement in his radio address to the nation which was broadcast on the Voice of Maldives 7.15 this morning.
He said that the government’s aim was establishing rule of law and consolidating democracy in the country.
The themes of the President’s first radio address included the recently established Presidential Commission to investigate alleged embezzlement of state funds, the need to strengthen political parties, two specific bills proposed to the People’s Majlis, World Environment Day, World Ocean Day as well as on the importance of reforming the education system.
Speaking on the Presidential Commission to investigate alleged embezzlement of state funds, the President said he had a responsibility to ensure that the Constitution was implemented.
He said as separation of powers and the establishment of independent institutions were salient features of the Constitution, it was important that the word and the reports of independent institutions carried weight and was respected by everyone.
On strengthening political party system, the President said that when an official of a political party was prosecuted for corruption or misappropriation of state funds, it would not only curb corruption but would also contribute to establishing good governance.
He emphasised that providing opportunity for aspiring young people in political parties to play active roles was believed to be an immediate measure political parties could take to strengthen party system.
He also said strengthening a healthy party system required the leadership of political parties being clean and principled. He added that the leadership being principled was important in a political party’s efforts to ensure government accountability.
In his address, President Nasheed also spoke on two specific bills that had been sent to the People’s Majlis. He said that the intention of the two bills was to unduly interfere with the proper role of the Executive.
Speaking on education, the President said the government was trying to run some schools through public private partnerships. His address also focused on the efforts of the government to improve public schools.
In his address, the President also focused on the World Environment Day and the World Ocean Day. He reiterated it was the responsibility of the current generation to leave a liveable environment for future generations.
