Qasim Ibrahim, the presidential candidate of Jumhooree Party, has assured the public that he will not work in self-interest if he wins the upcoming presidential elections.
Speaking to the press following the submission of his candidacy, Qasim told reporters that he has always worked in the interest of the public and will continue to do so in the future.
“I assure you; I will not work to gain anything more than what I already have. I do not want it. I won’t do that,” said Qasim, one of the biggest tycoons in the Maldives.
As the founder and chairman of the mega-business conglomerate Villa Shipping & Trading Company Pvt Ltd, Qasim said that, if elected, he will keep his business interests separate from governing.
Qasim, whose sway in politics comes from being one of the largest employers in the Maldives, led a large crowd of supporters as he walked from his party headquarters to submit his candidacy on Monday.
Having previously contested twice, Qasim, who came out as a “kingmaker” both times, says he is determined to win the election this time.
At a press conference on Monday evening, Qasim’s election agent, former tourism minister Ali Waheed, acknowledged Qasim’s role as a “kingmaker” and said it is the biggest reason why he should be elected.
Waheed said the political landscape of the Maldives has been plagued with in-fighting between incumbent and preceding governments, with former presidents always in jail, and the public’s only option to end this cycle would be to elect Qasim.
“Whoever is in power, the squabbles between political parties meant that the citizens have not had the chance of a peaceful life for the past 15 years,” he said.
He said that for anyone who looks at the bigger picture and thoroughly analyzes it, the only answer to end this cycle would be to elect Qasim.
Qasim is among seven other candidates running for president. The September 9 polls are slated to be the most competitive elections since the Maldives enacted a multi-party system in 2008.