As he vies for re-election, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih underscores a pivotal aspect of his track record: the notable reduction in crime rates during his five-year tenure.
Campaigning on the theme “Happy, Peaceful Maldives” for his 2023 re-election bid, President Solih presented compelling data. He pointed out that incidents of street violence decreased from 5,602 cases recorded between 2013 and 2018 to a mere 2,500 cases in the last five years. Muggings similarly dropped from 3,810 to 1,700, and most remarkably, theft plummeted from an alarming 26,176 incidents to just 1,800 during his time in office.
Addressing supporters in Maavah, Laamu Atoll, President Solih emphasised that these figures substantiate the effectiveness of his governance, particularly in crime prevention.
Attributing this success to apolitical state officials committed to regional development, President Solih delineated crime prevention as one of the five primary areas of focus for his upcoming term. The next five years, he says, will intensify efforts on early intervention and rehabilitation.
Earlier this month, President Solih elaborated on his social harmony policies, asserting that the foundation of effective crime prevention lies in identifying and addressing root causes. This involves a community-centric approach and synergistic efforts for early intervention to thwart criminal activities.
For his next term, the president’s pledges are anchored in three principal areas: crime prevention, vigilance with respect to criminal activity, and accountability and rehabilitation. These pledges encompass enhanced inter-agency coordination for crime prevention and a comprehensive strategy for the same. Priority will also be given to community watch mechanisms, aligning them closely with neighbourhood policing strategies, and adopting a child-protection and family-centric approach for minors affected by crime.
The president’s policy framework also acknowledges and aims to tackle emerging categories of crime, such as youth violence, financial crimes, internet-based crimes, and scams. This will be executed through collaborative efforts among relevant stakeholders, with a particular focus on reviewing the drug trafficking situation in the Maldives.
In summary, President Solih’s policy approach seeks to marry prevention strategies with effective rehabilitation, ensuring that those who have transgressed are adequately reformed and reintegrated into society.