Today

Today’s parliament session has also been brought to an end, due to loss of quorum, MPs raising points of order and shouting at one another.

No productive work has been carried out in the two sessions held this week.

Concluding today’s session, Speaker Abdullah Shahid said that a solution must be found for the issue of loss of quorum.

“The parliament has to make a decision on the regulations pertaining to behavioral standards of parliamentarians. I plan to take this up with leaders of political parties today. I respectfully ask all members to work towards solving this problem, and conclude today’s session as per parliament rules of procedure,” Shahid said.

Yesterday’s session had to be brought to an end following poor conduct and heated debates on constitution of committees. Monday’s session ended in a similar fashion.

No salary deductions are imposed even if parliamentarians are absent from sessions without providing any reason, or if sessions are cancelled due to their conduct. Every ‘honorable’ member of parliament gets a monthly salary of MVR62,500 and committee allowance of MVR20,000.