‘Orwellian’: Fayyaz Ismail Condemns Muizzu’s Expat Enforcement Policy

Former Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail has publicly criticised President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s directive instructing authorities to question and take legal action against expatriates found outdoors after midnight, describing the move as authoritarian and a threat to civil liberties.

In a post shared on X , Fayyaz likened the government’s approach to the dystopian themes of George Orwell’s 1984, arguing that the directive reflects an attempt to regulate people’s behaviour under the guise of maintaining peace and stability.

“The unyielding crusade to implement a repressive regimentation of people’s behaviours by his government is designed to dismantle freedoms dear to us,” Fayyaz wrote, warning that such measures could ultimately lead to the suppression of dissent and an erosion of public freedoms.

He further cautioned that while the policy currently targets expatriates, it could eventually affect local citizens as well. “Today the expat community, tomorrow the local population,” he stated, suggesting the move could set a broader precedent for increased state control.

President Muizzu earlier announced that law enforcement agencies should question expatriates found in public spaces between midnight and 6 a.m. and take legal action if violations of Maldivian law or immigration regulations are identified. The government has framed the directive as part of efforts to maintain public order and address concerns raised by communities.

The policy has sparked mixed reactions among the public, with some supporting stricter enforcement to uphold social order, while others argue it unfairly targets foreign workers and risks damaging the Maldives’ international image.

Fayyaz concluded his criticism by warning that leaders who pursue repressive policies often inflict lasting damage before ultimately failing, calling for a more rights-based and inclusive approach to governance.