No-confidence motion against Tech Minister Maleeh scheduled for Monday

The Parliament is scheduled to hear the no-confidence motion against Communication, Science and Technology Minister Mohamed Maleeh Jamal on Monday.

The no-confidence motion against Maleeh was submitted to the Parliament by ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) parliamentary group leader, Central Henveiru MP Ali Azim with the endorsement of 14 parliamentarians on February 10.

Maleeh was sent two weeks’ notice to respond to the motion on February 14.

The move to oust Maleeh – who was appointed a minister on a slot to government coalition partner Jumhoory Party (JP) – comes after repeated allegations from MDP parliamentarians against Maleeh of derelict of duties. They blame Maleeh for the failure to deliver the government’s pledge of providing low-cost and high-speed internet.

Article 207 (b) of Parliament’s regulations require for a Cabinet minister against whom a no-confidence motion has been submitted to be given the right to respond to the motion in speech or writing during the parliamentary debate.

The passage of a no-confidence motion against a Cabinet minister will require a majority vote, meaning votes from at least 43 parliamentarians.

MDP holds a supermajority at the Parliament with 65 seats.