Ex-Minister Maleeh refuses to answer questions from parliamentary committee

Former Minister of Communication, Science and Technology Mohamed Maleeh Jamal attended the Parliament’s Privileges and Ethics Committee meeting on Monday in response to summons for questioning regarding his statement at the Parliament earlier this March, but refused to answer questions.

Making his statement at the Parliament on March 1, shortly before he was dismissed in a no-confidence vote, Maleeh accused parliamentarians of threatening Cabinet ministers.

He was summoned by the Ethics Committee in response to the allegation.

Committee members questioned Maleeh regarding the allegation, but Maleeh refused to answer, stating that the committee has no authority to question him regarding a statement on parliament floor, and that doing so amounted to a constitutional violation.

“Why has someone been summoned to a parliamentary committee? Make it clear to me whether this is an investigation, or whatever it is in response to a statement in parliament floor. Don’t make this a game. Therefore, what I’m saying is I’m being forced to teach a lesson in law once again,” said Maleeh.

Expressing displeasure that Maleeh was summoned by the committee, Dhangethi MP Mohamed Nazim said that no action is taken against parliamentarians, whatever they may say on the parliament floor. He said that he does not believe a Cabinet minister should likewise be summoned for questioning regarding something they may say on the parliament floor.

“I do not believe he should be summoned here as a private citizen and be held accountable,” said Nazim.

Nazim said that Parliament Speaker, former President Mohamed Nasheed having initiated the summons looks to be very personal.

Makunudhoo MP Mohamed Raee said that Maleeh told the Parliament that another Cabinet minister who was dismissed before him was also dismissed under duress. And asked Maleeh to clarify his remark.

Maleeh dodged the question, choosing instead to talk about the law.

Committee’s chair repeatedly warned Maleeh to answer questions, but he continued to refuse.

“I want to say that you shouldn’t joke at all. We all have to act in accordance with one Constitution. We all need to follow this Constitution,” he said.

He then began complaining about errors on the letter sent to him by the Parliament summoning him to the committee meeting.

His refusal to answer questions by the committee was met with displeasure from MDP parliamentarians – who had orchestrated the no-confidence motion against him. Maleeh questioned the MDP parliamentarians, asking them to clarify under which constitutional clause he was being questioned.

South Thinadhoo MP Abdulla Saneef responded that it wasn’t Maleeh alone who was well-versed in the Constitution. He said that parliamentarians were also well-versed in the Constitution, and that the Constitution does not declare the Ethics Committee cannot investigate the case.

The committee meeting ended with Maleeh refusing to provide a direct answer to a single question.