Riyaz: No threat of President losing Majlis majority

Deputy Leader of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Parliamentary Group, Vilufushi MP Riyaz Rasheed said he wasn’t the least bit fearful President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom may lose his majority at People’s Majlis.

Speaking to “Sun”, Riyaz claimed that five out of the eight lawmakers he saw during the recent press conference of those who were reportedly by the side of Leader of PPM, former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom were still loyal to President Yameen.

“There was a press conference a few days before, right? The public and the media saw about eight people profess their support for Maumoon. I’m saying everyone, except for three people there still support President Yameen. I will not mention names. So I’m not scared of losing Majlis majority,” said Riyaz.

He said thought though people may assume President Yameen would lose Majlis majority, the misguidedness of the assumption would be proven from votes taken at Majlis.

“Bear witness to where the majority stands based on votes ones Majlis re-opens. At one point, even MDP boasted that there was little time left until the gain majority. What I want to say is, things will be done within Majlis as President Yameen wishes, as the government wishes. I repeat that there is no threat over majority,” said Riyaz.

The comments come after Maumoon’s faction announced that five more lawmakers had joined their sides during a press conference last Thursday, October 20.

They are:

1. North Thinadhoo MP, Saudhulla Hilmy

2. Dhidhdhoo MP, Abdul Latheef Mohamed

3. Eydhafushi MP, Ahmed Saleem (Redwave Saleem)

4. Thimarafushi MP, Mohamed Musthafa

5. Nolhivaram MP, Hussein Areef – a member of Maldives Development Alliance (MDA)

They join:

1. Dhiggaru MP, Ahmed Faris Maumoon

2. Thulhusdhoo MP, Mohamed Waheed Ibrahim (Lawyer Wadde)

3. Baarah MP, Ibrahim Sujau

Subsequent to the press conference, Leader of PPM PG, MP Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik tweeted that Dhidhdhoo MP, Abdul Latheef Mohamed was still a fellow Yameen loyalist.

President Yameen had gained super majority in People’s Majlis with his 53 lawmakers, with the shakeup, the majority has been cut down to 45 lawmakers – including members of Maldives Development Alliance (MDA).

Maumoon’s 8 lawmakers, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s 21 lawmakers, Jumhoory Party (JP) 7 lawmakers, Adhaalath Party lawmaker MP Anara Naeem and independent candidate MP Ahmed Mahloof make up for 40 lawmakers who aren’t loyal to President Yameen.