Island Council withholds Umaira's Salary

Island council of Baa Thulhaadhoo withheld the salary and allowances of Umaira Abu Bakr saying she is no longer a council member due to her absence for 10 consecutive meeting without a valid reason.

President of the council Ahmed Rasheed said that the council had not given salary to Umaira after she has been removed from council's membership. He said that they have not given the salary because they do not consider Umaira, a member of DRP as a council member.

"We have never been told by any authority that she is still a member of the council, so we believe that she is no more a member as per our decision. Therefore we can't give salary and allowances to her," said the President of the council which has MDP majority.

He also said that salary can be given to Umaira only if a court orders to do so.

Election Commission was about to hold a bi-election in the constituency after Umaira was removed from the council, however High Court ordered the Election Commission not to hold a bi-election.