Malé, Maldives – Opposition coalition consisting of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People’s National Congress (PNC) have taken to the streets of Male’ to protest the recently published list of “Hiyaa” flat winners.
The Opposition has stated that with these protests, they aim to bring justice to people who have lost or did not receive their apartments after ‘Hiyaa’ Public Housing Scheme was released on the 10th of February.
While Opposition leaders are attending these protests, there have also been calls to transfer the currently jailed Former President Abdhulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom to house arrest.
After the the final list for Hiyaa flat winners was released, numerous members of the public have questioned the flat committees’ point system- which prompted a news conference yesterday where the President of the Flat Committee Thoha Mohamed said that many people who deserved the housing units were not selected due to shortage in apartment units.
The PPM and PNC coalition decided to keep protesting and take action following a recent decision of the High Court, to uphold an earlier sentence by the Criminal Court’s which has led to Former President Yameen continue his 5 year money laundering sentence in Maafushi Prison.
While a small number of number of people are taking part in these protests, the participants are constantly calling out to free Former President Yameen and to stop ‘torturing’ him. Among other unsound demands, some protesters have called for the arrest if President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
The Opposition has continued to protest in Male’ by violating several guidelines released by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) due to the Covid-19 pandemic. While most protesters do wear masks, social distancing is not followed, which is very alarming as Covid cases in Maldives are at an all time high, with latest reports indicating that only 23 beds in Malé Covid-19 facilities are vacant.
