Government Prioritizes Research to Combat Drugs, Gang Crime, and Illegal Migration

The Maldives government is utilizing research-driven strategies to address long-standing internal security challenges, focusing on the root causes of crime and systemic failures. Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology Ali Ihusaan detailed this approach during the People’s National Congress (PNC) Congress 2026, emphasizing a move away from superficial fixes toward evidence-based solutions. According to Minister Ihusaan, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has identified four critical pillars for national security: combating drug trafficking, eradicating gang crime, managing illegal migration, and protecting youth from criminal influences. The administration has specifically analyzed why previous governments failed to mitigate these issues, leading to a strategic restructuring of the state apparatus. To improve coordination, the government integrated several agencies—previously scattered across different ministries—into a single ministry. This consolidation is intended to streamline planning and execution, ensuring a more cohesive response to organized crime and social instability. Addressing the drug crisis, the Minister outlined plans to sever trafficking routes and implement comprehensive rehabilitation programs to reintegrate addicted children into society. To tackle gang violence, the government is leveraging a special law enacted in 2025, which provides stronger legal frameworks to dismantle organized criminal networks. Beyond immediate security threats, the administration is prioritizing the modernization of the penal system. Efforts are underway to increase prison capacity and improve living conditions for inmates. Parallel to these security measures, Minister Ihusaan highlighted the government's commitment to the nationwide digitization of services, aiming to enhance transparency and efficiency in governance. By combining legal reform, structural reorganization, and a focus on social welfare for the youth, the government aims to create a more secure environment for all citizens and residents.