MP Nihan: PPM member will support tourism bill even if Maumoon pulls support

MP for the Villi-malé constituency, and the Leader of the PPM Parliamentary Group, Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik has said that the MPs of PPM would be supporting the government bill to allow leasing of islands, lagoons and land for tourism without an open-bidding despite the request from the President of PPM and former President of Maldives, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom not to support the bill.

Talking to the press after the meeting of the Parliament’s Finance Committee, MP Nihan said that President Maumoon expressed his opinion and so fully respects the request.

Majority Leader said that his whole party is in support of the bill and only President Maumoon is against it and it is his right to express his opinions on the matter.

Nihan said that the amendment to the tourism bill was by the government and the bill was discussed with top lawyers and the Attorney General. He said that the government policy would not be decided by the party.

And he said that the support for the government legislative policies is part of the endorsement of the government by the Parliamentary Group of the party.

MP Nihan said that he does not believe that it would create turmoil and escalation within the party.

Maumoon had said the bill would impede the development of the country, and violated the constitution of the party.