Bill on establishing Military Court to be sent to parliament

It has been decided to send a bill to the parliament within the first 100 days of the present government regarding creating a Military Court, to establish a military justice system consisting of laws and procedures governing the members of the military.

This has been included in the Maldives National Defence Force’s (MNDF) Strategic Action Plan on its developmental projects for the next five years.

Under this plan, it has been decided to submit a bill to the parliament to establish a military justice system and to pass the MNDF Disciplinary Act, or to introduce this Act as a regulation and establish a Judge Advocate General (JAG) branch.

Media Official of MNDF Hussain Ali told Sun Online that the purpose of this bill is to create a system within MNDF whereby action can be taken against its members who violate the law, as done by many countries around the world.

He said that the submission of the bill to the parliament has been included in the 100-day road map of the new government.

Four main policies have been included in MNDF’s Strategic Action Plan on its developmental projects for the next five years.

This includes strengthening the national security structure and the defence system, improving the quality of MNDF’s services, strengthening MNDF welfare system to avoid being dependent on the government budget, improving accommodation and work facilities of MNDF members, expanding and strengthening the education and training system for MNDF members, and working towards making the military competent and professional.

The first 100-day road map of the new government states that efforts will be made to establish a network to connect the JOCs and command centres across the country, to acquire a new helicopter, and to strengthen the medical evacuation and search and rescue services.