President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has pledged to listen to concerns raised by the public and work to address them within existing government policies and available avenues.
The President made the commitment during the first episode of the “Rayyithunge Adu” programme, an initiative designed to provide people from different constituencies and backgrounds with an opportunity to meet the President directly and discuss personal matters, institutional concerns and issues of wider public interest.
Under the programme, meetings are arranged according to the number of requests received, the time available and the administrative arrangements of the President’s Office.
During the first episode, participants raised a range of concerns, including difficulties in securing housing, access to medicines and opportunities for career advancement.
A participant with disabilities also highlighted challenges faced by people with disabilities, particularly the lack of accessibility and wheelchair access to mosques. He also raised concerns about the poor quality of wheelchairs provided through the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA).
President Muizzu acknowledged the concerns raised, describing them as important issues, and assured participants that he would work to identify ways to address them.
Regarding housing, the President said priority would be given to people who currently have no opportunity to secure housing. He also said the government is exploring options to construct additional housing units.
President Muizzu encouraged members of the public to use “Rayyithunge Adu” to bring their concerns, ideas and other issues directly to him, adding that he would seek to meet as many people as possible through the initiative.
As part of the programme, the President’s Office has now opened applications for residents of eight additional constituencies to participate in upcoming “Rayyithunge Adu” meetings with President Muizzu.
The eight constituencies are Ihavandhoo, Naifaru, Fonadhoo, Meedhoo, VilliMale’, Machangolhi South, Maamigili and Thinadhoo North. They are among the Maldives’ 93 electoral constituencies.
Residents wishing to participate have been asked to register through the dedicated portal on the President’s Office website, rayyithungeadu.presidency.gov.mv, before midnight on Monday, August 17.
The meetings are part of the “Rayyithunge Adu” series launched to give people who wish to meet the President an opportunity to discuss matters covering a broad range of areas.
The rules governing participation have also been published. They state that opportunities to meet the President will be determined based on the number of people requesting participation, the time allocated for the meetings and the administrative arrangements of the President’s Office.
Participants may raise personal matters, issues related to institutions they represent, as well as matters concerning the wider public interest.
Those selected to attend will be informed of the date and time of their meeting with the President through the contact details provided during registration.
According to the participation rules, each participant may be accompanied by their spouse, one child and either their mother or father.
Each participant will be given 10 minutes to speak during the meeting.
Participants are required to conduct themselves respectfully, while threatening behaviour, abusive language and actions that could harm the interests of others will not be permitted.
President Muizzu announced his decision to hold direct meetings with members of the public during a National Chat programme conducted in collaboration with PSM.
Before the latest registration drive, residents of eight other constituencies had also been invited to register for the meetings. These constituencies were Hulhumalé North, Hulhudhoo, Hoarafushi, Hulhumalé Central, Maafannu South, Ungoofaaru, Kelaa and Fuvahmulah South.
President Muizzu has said the initiative will provide him with greater opportunities to meet people from different constituencies individually and hear their views directly.
The President has previously travelled to various islands to meet residents and listen to their concerns. Over the past two years, he has also met with the councils of all inhabited islands in the Maldives during his visits to the country’s inhabited islands.
