Preventing Crime and Restoring Society´s Safety, Duties for Every Maldivian – President

Underlining the joint effort by all relevant government agencies to prevent the escalating violent crime in the country, President Mohamed Nasheed said every Maldivian had a duty to prevent crime and restore society´s safety and security.

Speaking at the ceremony to mark the 119th anniversary of the defence forces in the Maldives held at Kalhuthukkalaa Koshi today, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces commended the key role of Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF) in making the country safe and secure.

The President noted that MNDF´s slogan for the year encapsulated Maldivian defence forces´ commitment to community´s safety.

He appealed all Maldivians to cooperate with the MNDF in their battle against crime and restore safety in the country.

In his address to MNDF service personnel, the President revealed that the government aimed to provide housing for MNDF staff at housing units being built in Malé and Hulhumalé under the government’s housing project.

Providing affordable housing is a key electoral pledge of the government. Construction of housing units allocated for Malé and Hulhumalé out of 1000 housing units the government pledged to build in the country over its five year term is underway.

He noted that although state have been providing housing and housing benefits to service personnel, many MNDF staff still could not afford adequate housing.

The President said the whole country took pride in the valuable services that the Maldivian security forces have continued to render the country over its 119 year-long history.

He said every Maldivian was thankful of the invaluable services of the country´s armed forces to defend the country and its freedom.

President Nasheed said one of the key policies of the government was increasing the capabilities of the armed forces through proper training and education.

He noted that the government policies regarding the armed forces aimed to augment their role in consolidating democracy and ameliorate their relationship with the people.

At the special ceremony to mark the 119th anniversary of defence forces, President Nasheed presented the awards of honour to two former chiefs of MNDF Lieutenant General (retired) Anbaree Abdul Sattar, and Major General (retired) Mohamed Zahir recognising their services.