Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra), Member of Parliament and leader of the fledgling Social Liberal Party (SLP) on Monday launched his campaign to become the next president of the Maldives under the slogan “Can change, will change”.
In his speech, held at the Dharubaaruge conference centre in the capital, Malé, key pledges were the eradication of drug abuse and 20 per cent of the state budget to be spent on education.
He also emphasised his role in the drawing up of the constitution currently being finalised. As chair of the drafting committee, he is credited with mediating between parties during the document’s development.
Change
Ibra was among the first last year to declare his candidacy for this year’s elections, which will be the first multi-party presidential polls the country has seen.
Speaking last night, he told an audience of several hundred he was committed to delivering on promises, and said: “All that I have promised I have delivered, raising the voice of the people’s opinion.”
Citing his activist credentials as a former president of the largest opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) who has been jailed for political activity, Ibra spoke of the notorious death of Evan Naseem in police custody in 2003.
“I do not want to see my child dead, rather I die fighting to make sure I secure a peaceful future,” he said.
And stressing the need for change in a country where the same leader has ruled for almost three decades, he said: "we can bring about this change and we will bring about this change."
Education
Although he said it was “too early” to make many detailed pledges, drugs and education would be top priorities.
Saying he would allocate twenty per cent of the state budget to education, he added the “legacy” of current president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was to “keep people destitute”.
Asked about budget redistribution, he said he was waiting for data from government sources, but that his budgeting would be in line with the “policy framework”, adding that currently “government stated policy did not translate into budget policy”.
And while bribery and vote-buying have been familiar allegations in past elections, Ibra maintained that he would not “give a laari to get a vote”.
Constitution
Ibra was elected as a member of the People’s Majlis (parliament) for the capital, Malé, in January 2005 and is also well-known for his position as chair of the constitutional drafting committee.
Saying he will bring about change through implementing the constitution, Ibra said his central role in developing it meant he was best qualified to carry the changes through.
The final chapter of the constitution, which deals with transitional arrangements in the run-up to elections and will also set an election date, is still in progress, although disputes between the ruling DRP and opposition members have stalled work.
Ibra is the sixth presidential contender to launch a campaign, with three currently competing for the Maldivian Democratic Party ticket in the run up to the party’s primaries next month.
Other presidential hopefuls include leader of the Islamic Democratic Party Umar Naseer and former attorney general Hassan Saeed, of the New Maldives Movement.
In his speech, held at the Dharubaaruge conference centre in the capital, Malé, key pledges were the eradication of drug abuse and 20 per cent of the state budget to be spent on education.
He also emphasised his role in the drawing up of the constitution currently being finalised. As chair of the drafting committee, he is credited with mediating between parties during the document’s development.
Change
Ibra was among the first last year to declare his candidacy for this year’s elections, which will be the first multi-party presidential polls the country has seen.Speaking last night, he told an audience of several hundred he was committed to delivering on promises, and said: “All that I have promised I have delivered, raising the voice of the people’s opinion.”
Citing his activist credentials as a former president of the largest opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) who has been jailed for political activity, Ibra spoke of the notorious death of Evan Naseem in police custody in 2003.
“I do not want to see my child dead, rather I die fighting to make sure I secure a peaceful future,” he said.
And stressing the need for change in a country where the same leader has ruled for almost three decades, he said: "we can bring about this change and we will bring about this change."
Education
Although he said it was “too early” to make many detailed pledges, drugs and education would be top priorities.
Saying he would allocate twenty per cent of the state budget to education, he added the “legacy” of current president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was to “keep people destitute”.
Asked about budget redistribution, he said he was waiting for data from government sources, but that his budgeting would be in line with the “policy framework”, adding that currently “government stated policy did not translate into budget policy”.
And while bribery and vote-buying have been familiar allegations in past elections, Ibra maintained that he would not “give a laari to get a vote”.
Constitution
Ibra was elected as a member of the People’s Majlis (parliament) for the capital, Malé, in January 2005 and is also well-known for his position as chair of the constitutional drafting committee.
Saying he will bring about change through implementing the constitution, Ibra said his central role in developing it meant he was best qualified to carry the changes through.
The final chapter of the constitution, which deals with transitional arrangements in the run-up to elections and will also set an election date, is still in progress, although disputes between the ruling DRP and opposition members have stalled work.
Ibra is the sixth presidential contender to launch a campaign, with three currently competing for the Maldivian Democratic Party ticket in the run up to the party’s primaries next month.
Other presidential hopefuls include leader of the Islamic Democratic Party Umar Naseer and former attorney general Hassan Saeed, of the New Maldives Movement.
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