Bank of Maldives (BML) move on Sunday to discontinue dollar support for foreign transactions from debit and credit cards was an attempt at a financial coup, fisheries minister Ahmed Shiyam said on Monday night.

Speaking at a rally held at the PNC House tonight, Shiyam said BML is the national bank, who could not go against the decisions of the government.

"They are the participants in the coup. The people who were at the forefront of making this decision at the Bank today are with those who tried to bring about this financial coup. Today they should not be on the boards. I do not believe that a person who has tried to cause such great harm to the country and the people can be in the top position of the Bank of Maldives today,” he said.

Speaking during the rally attended by the President as well, Shiyam said that the President tried to negotiate a solution before the BML took the decision and that he was making decisions and giving instructions in the interest of the people. One of the decisions was to remove BML Deputy CEO Aishath Noordeen from the board.

"There should be more capable people on the board. The president should not tell them how to do these things every time. They should find a way. Therefore, even the most senior person should not be there. I call on him to resign immediately," he added.