News Desk
Malé, Maldives — Deputy Mayor Mohamed Arish has pushed back against allegations circulating in the heated Malé mayoral campaign, asserting that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, during his tenure as mayor, neither sold public land nor engaged in irregular land leasing.
In comments posted on X, Arish described the claims as “baseless” and accused political opponents of distorting the record for electoral gain. He said President Muizzu’s two‑and‑a‑half years leading the Malé City Council were defined by efforts to expand municipal services, increase green spaces and improve sanitation across the capital. According to Arish, President Muizzu also made weekly home visits to assess residents’ needs and “revive the city’s social and religious spirit.”
Arish criticized what he called a pattern of “running to the courts, filing lawsuits and intimidating others” as a campaign tactic, arguing that such behavior undermines the purpose of local governance. “Local councils are not legally established to pick fights with the existing government,” he said. “They work together with the government to provide municipal services and development.”
He urged candidates to focus on practical issues — housing, service delivery and community engagement — rather than turning the city into what he described as a “political branch of a particular party.” Attempts to “hijack the courts,” he added, would not resonate with voters.
Arish concluded by condemning accusations directed at President Muizzu, saying that making claims without evidence “is not worthy of someone seeking to lead the city.”
