MDP against awarding additional privileges to ex-lawmakers

Main ruling party, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has indicated its parliamentary group will issue a whip line against the amendments to Powers and Privileges of the Parliament Act which are designed to award additional privileges to former lawmakers.

The first reading of the two bills, submitted by Thimarafushi MP Mohamed Mustafa and Dhidhdhoo MP Abdul Latheef Mohamed was held at the Parliament this Monday morning.

The amendments, which calls for VIP airport services to former lawmakers, health insurance coverage to spouses and underage children of former lawmakers and diplomatic passports to spouses of former lawmakers was met will protest by the general public.

Prominent MDP lawmaker, North Galolhu MP Eva Abdulla has announced MDP will issue a whip line against the amendments.

It’s a RED whipline from MDP. https://t.co/zGtaB3mFDr

— Eva Abdulla ????❓ (@evattey) April 22, 2019

Abdul Latheef’s bill calls for healthcare under the insurance scheme to spouses and children under the age of 18 years of former lawmakers. The law currently authorizes health insurance coverage to only former lawmakers, and not their family.

A second amendment calls for diplomatic passports not just to former lawmakers, but to their spouses as well.

A third amendment calls for former lawmakers to receive their monthly allowance once they leave the Parliament and annul the stipulation that they must also be 55 years of age to be eligible for the allowance.

AMENDMENT TO POWERS AND PRIVILEGES OF THE PARLIAMENT ACT

• Article 8 (g) – Every person who served as a member of the Parliament, and their spouse should receive a diplomatic passport. The cost of producing the passport must be borne by the party which applies for the passport.

Mustafa’s amendment calls for VIP service from airports to former lawmakers.

AMENDMENT TO POWERS AND PRIVILEGES OF THE PARLIAMENT ACT

• Article 8 (h) – Every person who served as a member of the Parliament should receive airport VIP service

Musthafa says he proposed the amendment (an additional clause) in order to reward former lawmakers for their service to the State by allowing them to live an honorable and distinguished life.

Both Abdul Latheef and Mustafa has suffered defeat during the parliamentary elections held on April 6, and will not be part of the upcoming 19th Parliament.