MPs speak favorably regarding witness testimony bill

Many lawmakers who spoke during the preliminary debate on the bill on witness testimony, this Monday, expressed approval for the bill, overall, despite stressing the need for a few tweaks during committee evaluation.

The bill was submitted to People’s Majlis by North Fuvahmulah MP Ali Shah; who said the bill gave clear instructions on judging witness testimony and the procedure to follow when extracting witness testimony.

MP Shah said he hoped that revisions, if needed, be made during committee evaluation.

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) lawmaker, Maradhoo MP Ibrahim Shareef (Mavoata Shareef) said that the bill on witness testimony was important legislature, and stressed the need for thorough evaluation and revisions, if necessary.

Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) lawmaker, Ungoofaaru MP Jaufar Dhawood said he believed the bill will bring an end to allegations being made regarding the country’s judges.

“There is a lot of talk about the judges. So having instructions for judges on how to proceed and other things written down in such a bill will, I believe, put a stop to such criticism,” said MP Jaufar Dawood.

MDP lawmaker, North Mafannu MP Imthiyaz Fahmy said that important though the bill may be, it will only be useful if judges choose witness testimony over “a pile of dollars”.

A bill on witness testimony was submitted to People’s Majlis for the first time ever by South Kulhudhuffushi MP Mohamed Nasheed.

Nasheed spoke in approval of MP Shah’s bill, and said that implementing the Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Act and Witness Testimony Act together will bring a revolutionary change to the Maldivian justice system.

“If these three laws are implemented together it will not just bring a positive change to the criminal justice system,” said Nasheed. “It will bring a revolutionary positive outcome.”

Kudahuvadhoo MP Ahmed Amir said that many witnesses retracted their statements during trial. And that it damaged cases when statements taken during investigation cannot be submitted as evidence to court.

MP Amir said that Article 52 of the Constitution needed to be reformed. And appealed for a bill to reform the legislature be submitted to People’s Majlis as soon as possible.