Qasim: Defamation Bill is a doorway to corruption

Leader of Jumhoory Party, leading businessman Qasim Ibrahim has said that the bill on defamation and freedom of speech was a doorway to corruption if passed by the parliament.

Qasim met with reporters to hear their concerns over the bill on Wednesday.

Speaking during the meeting, Qasim said that the bill violated the constitution, and would be detrimental to the people and open a doorway to corruption – if it is passed.

He said that JP would not vote for the bill.

Many of the JP lawmakers refused to vote to accept the defamation bill for consideration.

Majority of JP lawmakers are against the bill, with the only high-profile JP lawmaker who has spoken out in favor of the bill being Dhangethi MP Ilhaam Ahmed.

The bill, currently prescribes fines between MVR 50,000 to MVR 2,0000,000 for defamation. And the decision can be appealed in courts only after the reporter has paid the fine.

The case will be reported to police and prosecuted, if the reporter fails to pay the fine.

It prescribes prison sentences from 3 – 6 months if the reporter fails to pay the fine within the period of time given by court after the case is sent for prosecution.