Maumoon Abdul Gayoom

My main objective has been to raise the standard of living of the people, to achieve social and economic progress.

— Maumoon Abdul Gayoom

I think our human rights record is very good. ... there is no systematic human rights abuses in the Maldives, there are no arbitrary arrests and people are tried in open court and they have access to lawyers.

— Maumoon Abdul Gayoom

These people where inciting people to violence. That is not allowed in any country, in any democracy. You don't allow that in the United Kingdom, you don't allow that in the United States, or anywhere in the world.

— Maumoon Abdul Gayoom

Freedom of expression is guaranteed by our constitution.

— Maumoon Abdul Gayoom

When asked about why the opposition members were arrested, Gayyoom replied "Violence, Violence, Violence"

— Maumoon Abdul Gayoom