MP Rozaina: A parliamentary system is not suitable for the Maldives

Addu Meedhoo MP Rozaina Adam has stated that a parliamentary system is not the most suitable system of governance for the Maldives.

Speaking at a television program broadcasted by Raajje TV, MP Rozaina stated that the parliamentary system in its nature is a good system of governance – whereas there are countries in which parliamentary systems are successfully implemented at.

However, she expressed that she is concerned that there is an attempt to change the system of governance in the Maldives to a parliamentary system in the light of how things have unfolded in the past.

“For example, if we are looking at how things have unfolded within the parliament even – MPs elected as representatives from one party, have switched parties within the span of their terms. Opinions change as well. How can there be stability in a nation if there are such changes within the parliament all the time – especially when it is the head of state in a parliamentary system,” she had said.

MP Rozaina also stressed that this is not the right time to call a change of the system of governance – noting that sound individuals would not attempt this in the midst of the current presidential term.

She further added that in a country comprising of a population of about 450,000 people – they should have a say when selecting a leader for the nation, noting that this option does not exist in the selection of a prime minister in a parliamentary system.

“What will happen if the governing system changes every six months. MPs are elected to the parliament with about 400 to 500 votes. If a large number of candidates are contesting for a particular seat – it is possible to win it with just 200 votes. A person elected this way has the chance to become the country’s prime minister – and subsequently conferred a serious amount of power although only 200 people have voted for this person,” she explained.

Just recently a petition calling for a constitutional referendum to switch from a presidential system to a parliamentary system – has been started. Supporters of Parliament Speaker, former President Mohamed Nasheed – a strong advocate for a parliamentary system – have been signing the petition, including some sitting MPs.

A total of 15 MPs have signed the petition as of present. They are:

• Ungoofaaru MP Mohamed Waheed (Wadde)
• Central Maafannu MP Ibrahim Rasheed (Bonde)
• Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, North Galolhu MP Eva Abdulla
• Madaveli MP Hussain Firushan
• North Maafannu MP Imthiyaz Fahmy (Inthi)
• Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb
• Bilehdhoo MP Ahmed Haleem (Dhonbileh)
• Gadhdhoo MP Ahmed Zahir
• Velidhoo MP Mohamed Abdulla Shafeeg
• North Mahchangoalhi MP Mohamed Rasheed
• Vilifushi MP Hassan Afeef
• South Galolhu MP Mickail Ahmed Naseem
• North Henveiru MP Ibrahim Muiz
• Thoddoo MP Hassan Shiyan
• Fonadhoo MP Moosa Siraj

The aim of the petition is to collect 1,000,000 signatories within 100 days.