MDP opposes amendment of parliament regulation procedure

Parliamentary Group of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has decided yesterday that MDP does not support amendment of parliament regulation procedure, and that MDP should not have to respond to the presidential address delivered by President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik.

Following an initiative by MDP, a draft of the amendments to parliament regulation procedure has already been produced by the parties represented in the parliament – Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), Jumhooree Party (JP), People’s Alliance (PA) and MDP.

When the draft was submitted to these parties for revision, MDP Parliamentary Group has decided after a heated debate that the party will not support these amendments.

A member of MDP Parliamentary Group said on the condition of anonymity that the amendments are like a ‘tailored suit for Waheed’. He said that despite the resignation of the former President, MDP is the government as long as it continues to implement its election manifesto. Also, the current government can submit bills to the parliament through MDP.

“Nasheed became president on 11 November 2008 with an MDP manifesto and with the votes of 97,000 people. Now Waheed has become President, alleging that Nasheed resigned. Since it is still MDP manifesto that is being implemented, there is no reason why the government can’t submit bills to the parliament through MDP,” the senior member of MDP Parliamentary Group said.

He also said that as the ruling party, MDP should not have to respond to the presidential address – this should be done by the party represented by the minority leader.

“DRP has to respond to the presidential address. We believe MDP is the ruling party, the responsibility is therefore not ours.”

According to Article 25 (b) of the parliament regulation procedure, following the delivery of the presidential address, the party with most members other than the one represented by the President (majority leader or minority leader) must prepare and deliver a response to the presidential address.

President Waheed’s party, Gaumee Itthihad is not represented in the parliament. The parties have proposed to amend the parliament regulation procedure such that the government appoints a party through which bills by the government can be submitted to the parliament.