Umar: Death penalty talk will end like ‘India Out’

Former Home Minister Umar Naseer has criticized President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's proposal for discussions regarding the death penalty for drug traffickers in the Maldives, asserting that such talks would yield an outcome similar to the "India Out" movement.

On Wednesday, President Muizzu announced via an X post his intention to direct relevant government agencies to conduct a thorough review of the Drugs Act Amendment Bill. This bill aims to impose stricter penalties, including capital punishment, on individuals convicted of drug smuggling or trafficking.

މަސްތުވާތަކެތީގެ ވަބާއިން ދިވެހި މުޖްތަމަޢު ސަލާމަތްކޮށް، މަސްތުވާތަކެތިން ދުރުހެލިވެފައިވާ ޖީލެއް ބިނާކުރުމަކީ މިސަރުކާރުގެ އެންމެ މުހިންމު އެއް އަމާޒު.

އެގޮތުން، މަޖިލީހަށް މިހާރު ހުށަހަޅާފައިވާ މަސްތުވާ ތަކެއްޗާބެހޭ ޤާނޫނަށް އިސްލާހުގެނައުމުގެ ބިލްގައި، މަސްތުވާތަކެތި…

— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) July 30, 2025

Umar Naseer, a long-standing proponent of the death penalty in such cases, was among the first to offer commentary on the matter during SSTV's 'Baaru Hathareh' program. He expressed skepticism regarding the President's seriousness on the issue.

"I believe certain concepts are now being adopted from my own views, yet I do not perceive this as a serious discussion," stated Umar Naseer.

He elaborated on the profound societal impact of the escalating drug problem, noting its role in the dissolution of families, the proliferation of theft and robbery, prison overcrowding, and a backlog of court cases. Consequently, he stated, the public overwhelmingly demands a resolution to the drug crisis.

He highlighted that despite two decades of discourse surrounding solutions to this issue, no substantive changes have been implemented.

Nonetheless, he expressed satisfaction that a political leader has, after 20 years, acknowledged the efficacy of such punitive measures, for which he has consistently advocated.

"I am greatly pleased to observe that both the government and certain politicians now align with my perspective. It is encouraging to see that other political leaders have also recognized the solution today. I identified this solution two decades ago," remarked Umar Naseer.

However, he contended that President Muizzu's statement lacked genuine intent. Umar posited that if the President had been resolute in his declaration, he would have announced the issuance of an order to that effect, rather than merely stating a decision to discuss the matter. This, he suggested, indicates an attempt to generate media headlines.

Umar further asserted that preventing drug-related issues does not necessitate extensive effort. He maintained that the requisite legislation is already in place, requiring only the President's signature for implementation.

Observing the recent increase in fatalities within the Maldives, Umar speculated that drug-related problems underpinned nearly all of these deaths. Therefore, he presumed that mounting public and governmental pressure for a solution prompted the President's statement.

"I anticipate that this initiative will conclude similarly to the 'India Out' movement, which culminated in the soldiers simply stepping out of their uniforms. I believe this will follow a comparable trajectory," predicted Umar Naseer.

Umar invoked the 'India Out' campaign as a precedent because the interim government assumed power following a prolonged campaign advocating for the withdrawal of Indian troops from the Maldives.

Upon assuming office, the current government reported the presence of only 89 Indian troops in the Maldives. The government announced the demobilization of all troops by May 9 of the previous year, citing the departure of 76 Indian soldiers. However, an equivalent number of civilians have since been brought in to operate the nation's aircraft, with their departure from the Maldives slated for 2026.

The opposition has accused the government of failing to honor its "India Out" campaign pledges, alleging that Indian troops remain deployed in the Maldives, albeit in civilian attire.

Furthermore, during the nascent stages of the current administration, bilateral relations deteriorated due to criticisms of India, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, by high-ranking government officials. Following a substantial campaign in India to boycott Maldivian tourism, the government has exerted considerable effort to mend diplomatic ties.

As part of these endeavors, the President has visited India twice, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended Maldives' Independence Day celebrations, participating in the events of July 26.

Drug-related issues represent a significant social challenge in the Maldives. The government has been actively pursuing various measures to combat this problem. These initiatives include plans to establish remand centers and enhance the existing drug rehabilitation infrastructure.

Home Minister Ali Ihsan previously reported a significant increase in drug seizures, with MVR 600 million worth of drugs seized in 2023, a figure that escalated to MVR 1.2 billion in 2024. He also stated that routes utilized for cross-border drug smuggling have now been identified and closed.

Under the Narcotics Act, which has been in force in the Maldives for 14 years, the current penalties for drug traffickers include a fine of MVR 10 million and life imprisonment. Penalties for drug peddling range from five to ten years in jail and a fine of MVR 10,000 to MVR 600,000. Drug dealers face 15 years in prison and a fine of MVR 25,000 to MVR 2 million.

As noted in the President's post, several countries, including China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam, impose the death penalty for drug offenses. Other nations like Malaysia, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh, and Pakistan also have provisions for capital punishment in drug cases. 

However, in Malaysia, the death penalty has recently been made optional, and executions are rarely carried out in Thailand and Pakistan. 

Bangladesh implements the death penalty for serious drug-related offenses.