I apologize for voting for Dr Majeed: Hassan Latheef

Hassan Latheef, South Hithadhoo MP has apologized for voting for the endorsement of Dr Abdul Majeed at yesterday’s Majlis meeting.

Speaking at the Majlis today, Hassan Latheef said that his vote for Dr Majeed was an error. He asked for forgiveness from members of DRP and Maldivians who are against endorsing Dr Majeed.

“It was an error I made. I apologise to DRP and Maldivians who do not support this endorsement,” Hassan Latheef said.

Hassan Latheef said that even though Dr Abdulla Mausoom, Vice President of DRP Parliamentary Group and Kelaa MP said that he will vote against endorsement of Dr Majeed, no announcement was made by DRP yesterday on whether this endorsement should be voted for or against.

Members of PPM said that the fact that Hassan Latheef and Mohamed Ramiz voted for Dr Majeed’s endorsement against the interest of DRP, is a sign of disloyalty. In response to this, Hassan Latheef said that the Constitution does not allow such remarks by MPs on how a member votes at the Majlis. He said that members do not have that right, and that he condemns this remark.

PPM today heavily criticized DRP, saying that Dr Majeed was endorsed by Majlis due to DRP members voting against what had been decided by other opposition parties.

Member of PPM and South Galolhu MP Ahmed Mahloof said that even though DRP criticizes the government at Majlis meetings, they sometimes vote in accordance with what the government wants, and this shows that they have made certain “deals” and are working with the government.

“We have to think about how the party members are voting, even though members like Mausoom criticize the government all the time. With every such proposal at the Majlis, they say they are against the government’s thinking, however, when it comes to voting, Deputy Leader Ramiz and South Hithadhoo MP vote in error. Some days, they have to visit the washroom. If they want to work here, the people of Maldives have to be informed clearly of which side they are on,” Mahloof said.

DRP was heavily criticized also by Vaikaradhoo MP Ali Aarif and Vice President of PPM Joint Parliamentary Group and Vilufushi MP Riyaz Rasheed, for how they voted on this issue.

Dr Majeed was endorsed at the Majlis yesterday by a difference of two votes. While 37 votes are necessary for the Majlis to approve his reappointment, 38 out of 75 members present at the meeting voted for it, while 35 members voted against.