We do not believe that Parliament members are entitled to special privileges: Yameen

Progressive Party of Maldives’ (PPM) Parliamentary group leader and presidential primary candidate Abdulla Yameen has said that PPM does not support the Parliament members privileges and powers bill and that he does not believe that parliament members are entitled to special privileges.

Yameen made his statements speaking at a function held to meet with the people of Maafannu ward at Hiriya School last night.

“None of the Parliament members belonging to PPM support the privileges bill. We do not believe that the Parliament members are entitled to special privileges,” said Yameen.

He said that his participation in the joint press conference held yesterday by all the parties in the Parliament in relation to the delayed ratification of the two bills did not mean that he was working the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), but said that he participated because he believed that a bill passed by the Parliament for a second time without any amendments shall be ratified by the President as soon as possible.

Yameen further said that his purpose for working towards the presidential election is to fulfill his pledges and serve the people and that his presidential ticket is not up for sale.

While PPM says that they do not support the privileges bill, the government and some organizations working for the rights of journalists had raised concerns regarding some of the clauses in the bill.

The Attorney General’s Office has also submitted the act to the Supreme Court today.

Some lawyers have noted that the privileges act hinders the right to freedom of press in instances such as where it stipulates that the Parliament and its committee have the power to conduct investigations and collect testimony, and that it does not however, entitle the summoned individual to the right to remain silent or to the right to legal representation.