Opposition: political figures shouldn

Opposition members have said that appointments to commissions need to be made after setting aside politics.

Speaking during debate on National Integrity Commission Bill held on Wednesday at People’s Majlis, opposition members accused President Abdulla Yameen of nominating political figures to independent commissions.

Maradhoo MP Ibrahim Shareef (Mavota) said that there being a wife of a MP among the names approved by Majlis on Tuesday to be appointed to Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) was a matter sadness and great shame.

“People are losing their confidence in such commissions as a result of this. You cannot gain the public’s trust if you appoint wives of politicians or biased activists drenched in political colors,” said Mavota.

North-Kulhudhuffushi MP Abdul Gafoor Moosa said that establishing a National Integrity Commission was something that needed to be done immediately. Adding that expanding the work of the commission across the country was of vital importance.

He said that those appointed to most commissions by governments after “democracy” came to the country were political figures. Gafoor said that all state commissions at the moment were compromised.

“I plead with government to prioritize national welfare over political mentality. Not only this government. But the next government also needs to think about national welfare. Honorable Speaker, it is not acceptable today with power of decentralization being diluted to the point that Ministry of Construction is running Male’ City and Addu City. Decentralization failing is the failure of those running this country,” said Gafoor.

South-Galolhu MP Ahmed Mahloof said that he supported the purpose of a National Integrity Commission and that government expenditure would be reduced as a result of it.

“I am very sad that committee allocates marks according to political agendas when names of those to be appointed to commission are sent to them for evaluation. Those who have Masters, Degrees are given 30 marks while political figures are given 80 marks,” said Mahloof.

Kanditheemu MP Mohamed Hussein – who proposed the bill – said that the purpose of the bill was to make running of institutions that enforced law more efficient, establishing guidelines to evaluate issues with such institutions, and to establish a commission to oversee execution of penalties regarding such issues.