Correct the course, Nasheed tells Solih

‘Pandering to extremists could take the Maldives to a dangerous place’

MaldivianParliamentary Speaker and , who survived a bid on his life in May, has asked President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to “course-correct before it is too late”. In a statement issued on Saturday, Mr. Nasheed accused President Solih of reneging on his pledge to address religious extremism, referring to the government’s “withdrawal” of support for a recent Bill — criminalising hate crimes — tabled after the May 6 explosion targeting him. “When the conservative religious parties who are part of a political alliance with the government objected, the government withdrew support for its own Bill,” the statement said, naming the Adhaalath party. His comments come amid growing tensions within the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) over the government’s policies, mainly on corruption and religious extremism. While some MPs back President Solih’s “restrained” approach that they find politically prudent, other, disgruntled members support Mr. Nasheed’s “bold” ways. The friction seen within the top echelons of the Maldivian government that is facing the pandemic’s blow and incumbency has set off speculation over political stability in Indian Ocean island nation.