MDP gains control of key parliament committees

Parliament committees have seen a drastic shift in control as the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) gained chair and majority of some of the key committees.

With the support of their new coalition partner Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), MDP installed chairs in 6 key committees with; the party’s parliamentary group leader MP Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to head the committee on national security forces (241 Committee), party chairman MP Reeko Moosa Manik as the chair of the National Security Committee, Thoddoo MP Ali Waheed to head the Committee on Independent Institutions, Kaashidhoo MP Abdulla Jabir to chair the Public Accounts Committee, Maafannu Uthuri MP Imthiya Fahumy to head the Privileges Committee and Baarashu MP Mohamed Shifaz to steer the General Purpose Committee.

Prior to the shuffle, government coalition member Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) held the chair of all committees, excluding the National Security Committee.

MDP has long accused committee chairs of "parking" and stalling the progress of important bills.