Politics

Yameen’s remarks on sex workers, opium spark controversy

President Abdulla Yameen has sparked outrage on social media with recent comments on Maldivian men visiting sex workers in Bangkok, feeding opium to the youth, and a reference to Allah’s children.

29 May 2016, 9:00 AM
President Abdulla Yameen has sparked controversy with recent comments on Maldivian men visiting sex workers in Bangkok, feeding opium to the youth, and a reference to Allah’s children.
The comments made at three separate ceremonies are now playing on a loop on opposition aligned Raajje TV and the clips have been widely shared on social media.
On May 21, Yameen, at a ceremony to mark 913 days in office, said: “I have to say that I know everyone, especially all men, go to Bangkok. And certainly, the women they get there are not hiley [for free].”
The word hiley means without payment in Divehi and hiley anhenun refers to unmarried women.

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