MDA backs PPM in decision to vote for Muhthaz

Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) has declared support for the decision by Progressive Party of Maldives’ (PPM) parliamentary group to vote for Criminal Court Judge Muhthaz Muhsin in the vote of consent for a Prosecutor General nominee on Monday.

Defying an order by PPM leader and former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, PPM parliamentary group issued a three-line whip at a meeting today to vote for Muhthaz Muhsin for the PG post.

Deputy Leader of MDA Ahmed Amir said today that MDA had earlier made a decision to conform to PPM’s whip line in Monday's vote and that MDA will always stand by PPM’s decisions.

“I believe that both candidates up for the PG post are capable individuals. Maumoon Hameed and Muhthaz are both capable, but these decisions have to be democratic,” said the MDA Deputy Leader and MP for Kudahuvadhoo constituency.

Maumoon Abdul Gayoom appealed to the PPM parliamentary group to vote for his nephew Maumoon Hameed in a letter addressed to the group on Friday. The PPM leader had earlier written to the party's parliamentary group leader MP Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik expressing concern over decisions by PPM MPs in the committee evaluation of the two candidates.