Bill to reduce urine sample sentence withdrawn from parliament

Bill to reduce the one-year prison sentence levied by the Drugs Act for refusing to provide urine samples to the authorities, has been withdrawn from parliament today.

Chair of the session, Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim announced that Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) member Kendhikulhudhoo MP Ahmed Easa, who proposed it on 23 October, has withdrawn the bill the bill today.

The bill seeks to reduce the sentence to a prison sentence of 15 days, house arrest of one month, or a fine of MVR 12,000.

Meanwhile, MDP parliamentary group members, Kaashidhoo MP Abdulla Jabir and Henveiru-South MP Hamid Abdul Gafoor have been charged for refusing to provide urine samples after they were arrested on suspicion of alcohol consumption in Haa Dhaalu Hondaidhoo in November last year.