Former President Mohamed Nasheed says his remarks were misinterpreted and that alcohol should not be permitted on inhabited islands.

Former President Mohamed Nasheed stated today that the meaning of his previous remarks has been distorted and that alcohol should not be permitted on inhabited islands.

Speaking at an event held to brand K. Maafushi as the “Heart of Maldives,” Nasheed said that it is unfair that services provided to tourists at resorts are not available at guesthouses. Following criticism directed at Nasheed over this, he stated on X that using clear Dhivehi language, creating false meanings and translations to harm people is a dangerous thing.

Nasheed clarified that the only thing available at resorts that is not available on other islands is not pork and alcohol, and that such things should not be permitted on inhabited islands.

Minister of Tourism Thoriq Ibrahim stated at a President’s Office press conference that selling pork and alcohol on inhabited islands is not permissible and is not government policy either. Thoriq said that some safari vessels selling alcohol to inhabited islands is a problem that needs to be addressed and that work is underway to resolve such issues.

Thoriq stated that local islands practice dry tourism and that pork and alcohol cannot be allowed.