Jumhoory Party (JP) Presidential candidate Qasim Ibrahim speaking on popular TVM political talk show, ‘Siyaasath’ yesterday night has promised to alleviate the suffering of the Maldivian people.
Former finance minister Qasim, for the first time in his bid to win the top job of the country, spoke of his time in government. He said that he was forced to resign from the cabinet, when he realized that the government was not supporting his efforts to generate much needed additional revenue to the state budget. He revealed that despite his repeated appeals to concerned government ministries and to the President, from 2006, 2007 and just prior to his resignation, to consolidate the programs of all government agencies to work towards realizing mega projects aimed generating additional funds, the government gave a deaf year. Qasim also said he raised his concerns at every cabinet sitting to no avail.
“I had no choice but to resign, there is only so much a single person can do” he said. “It doesn’t necessarily mean I abandoned my responsibilities at this crucial juncture” he expressed.
Qasim who remained clam and composed through out program was very fluent and talkative through out the program. Asked why he did not criticize his rival candidates, he said he believed in a respectful campaign. However he added that if his opponents want to distort information about him, he will clarify the situation.
Qasim , who came to Male’ at the age of 14 seeking an education, touched on his philanthropic activities and said that he started his charity works long time ago. He said he suffered a series of set backs in his early life.
“I did not get to enjoy formal higher studies, I saw my family suffer due to lack of appropriate health care, I put my self in the shoes of thousands of people who seek help and I can relate to them” Qasim said.
He said it is this experience and his sense of caring for people, led him to assist people to get appropriate medial care both locally and abroad and also eventually Villa Foundation.
“The problem with the current government is that nothing is implemented. No efforts are made to properly tap human resources” he said. “The first staff of TVM to undergo post graduate studies was trained by Villa Foundation” Qasim pointed out.
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