Nihan: 98 percent of PPM MPs support the bill

Leader of the PPM Parliamentary Group, the MP for Villi-Malé constituency, Ahmed Nihan Hussain Maink has said that the PPM Parliamentary Group does not accept the suggestion from PPM President and former President of Maldives, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and 98 percent of MPs of PPM supports the bill.

PPM President, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom made a request of the MPs of the party to not support the Anti-Defamation Bill currently in Parliament which would restrict the freedom of expression considerably if passed.

Responding to a question from Sun Media regarding Maumoon’s request, MP Nihan said tonight that a decision on how to vote for the bill has not been decided yet but 98 percent of the Party’s MPs are in support of the bill.

The only two MPs that are openly against the bill are MP Mohamed Mustafa of the Thimarafushi constituency and the son of President Maumoon, the MP for the Dhiggaru constituency, Faaris Maumoon.

As the Anti-Defamation bill stands, the fine for defamation is between MVR 50,000 and 2,000,000. The bill allows for the fine to be appealed in the courts in the country. But the appeal can be made after paying the fine.

The bill states that if the fine for spearing a person is not paid, the case can be reported to the Police. And after investigating, criminal charges can be pursued by the Prosecutor General (PG) Office.

According to the bill, once the case goes to trial from the PG, the fine has to be paid within a duration decided by the court. Failure to do so, the accused is subject to a prison sentence between three to six months. And the case can only be appealed at any court in the country after paying the fine.