Major Shamaal’s political activities are an affront to MNDF: Shiyam

Naifaru Constituency Member of Parliament Ahmed Shiyam has also hit back at Chief of Defense Force Major General Abdullah Shamaal for his political activities.

The Chief of Defense Force is part of the contingent accompanying President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s trip to Maamigili to court favor with coalition partner Jumhooree Party (JP) leader Qasim Ibrahim.

Shiyam, who is also Deputy Leader of opposition Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM), said that Shamaal’s political activities were an affront to Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF). He added that because of Major General Shiyam, the integrity and the honor of the armed forces was in question.

All officers of MNDF are barred from taking part in political activities under their code of conduct and code of ethics.

Major General Shamaal has a history of engaging in politics. Back in the first round of the 2013 Presidential elections, he had circulated a petition in Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) regarding the elections. He was dismissed from his position shortly after, for encouraging dissent among the armed forces.