Red Wave Saleem kicked from PPM Viber Group

MP for the Eydhafushi constituency, Ahmed Saleem, popularly known as Red Wave Saleem, has been kicked out of the Viber Group of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).

Red Wave Saleem, who did not take part in the vote on the bill of Anti-Defamation and Freedom of Speech, was kicked out of the Viber Group some time tonight. The reason for this is unclear at this time.

The MP for the Thimarafushi constituency, Mohamed Mustafa was previously kicked out of the PPM Viber Group for expressing his opinions against the bill. MP Ahmed Faaris Mauoon, the son of the former President of the Maldives and President of PPM, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was also kicked out of the Group for voting against PPM’s thee-line whip on the vote.

Along with MP Faaris, the MP for Kulhuduffushi constituency, Mohamed Nasheed and the MP for Thimarafushi constituency, Mohamed Mustafa also voted against the three-line whip from PPM today. Vice President of MDA of the government coalition, Hussain Areef also voted against the Anti-Defamation Bill.

The Anti-Defamation bill passed through the Parliament today is a bill that constricts the freedom of speech significantly.

According to the bill, expressions that go against the fundamentals of Islam, threatens national security or usual proceedings and defamation are crimes. And the bill has specified regulations that can easily prove all four crimes against someone.

There is no provision to appeal the fines until the steep fines are paid. And the law allows for revoking the licenses of media companies convicted of defamation.