Short and snappy: President gives 18-minute speech to parliament
The president’s speech clocked in at just 18 minutes. Last year’s speech lasted one hour and 13 minutes.
22 Feb 2018, 9:00 AM
President Abdulla Yameen lauded the success of his four years in office in a whirlwind speech at the opening session of parliament, with no mention of the state of emergency or the controversy surrounding it.
His speech, which is required by the constitution to explain the status of the country and the president’s plans for the year, clocked in at just 18 minutes. His 2017 speech lasted one hour and 13 minutes.
He said it was his government’s policy to safeguard and protect the interests of the state and ensure the serenity of the Maldives, even as people protested in the capital against his administration.
“In the past four years this government has proven its dedication and commitment to serve the Maldivian people,” he said Wednesday night.
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