Siyam: MPs must lose seat for changing party

Leader of MDA and the MP for Meedhoo constituency, Ahmed Siyam Mohamed has said that MPs must lose their seat at the parliament if they leave the party they were elected on and switch to another political party.

Speaking at the government coalition press conference today, MP Siyam said that he is astonished to see MPs taking money in millions.

Siyam said that MPs are elected with hard work from the leadership of the parties. He said that the MPs of MDA were also elected with hard work "in the rain and sun" and when they betray the party and leave, it is not something the public will accept.

The MDA Leader said that his party and it's MPs are standing in support of the jurisdictional case filed by the government at the Supreme Court.

Indicating to the report issued by Transparency Maldives labeling the Parliament as the most corrupt independent institute in the country, Siyam said that going the case at the Supreme Court in favor of the government is a step against corruption.

Siyam said that everyone knows how bad corruption is in the eyes of the Islamic faith.

He said that parliamentarians losing seats they won as candidates for a particular party if they switch the party is something the parliament should have already voted and decided on.

MP Siyam said that some MPs take bribes in large amounts regarding different votes being taken at the parliament.

The case filed at the Supreme Court says that MPs should lose their seats if they leave or is dismissed from the party. The court has yet to make a ruling on the matter.

The government coalition currently consists of 40 MPs of PPM and MDA.