Bonde: I represent the people, not the government

Central Maafannu MP Ibrahim Rasheed (Bonde) has stated that he was elected to the parliament by the people as their representative – and therefore, is not a member representing the government.

Bonde, a member of MDP, remarked this at today’s parliamentary sitting during the floor debate on Company’s Act Bill. He also highly criticized the Economic Ministry and the government’s running of state-owned companies.

He also alleged corruption of MVR 20 million from the MVR 100 million issued as grant assistance from Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the development and operation of a single window digital financial transaction system to combat corruption within government authorities.

Bonde expressed concern over the lack of investigations in such cases and stressed that relevant government authorities must be held accountable for it.

“I was sent here to make (the government) accountable. I am not a representative of the government. I am just here as a member elected on MDP’s ticket,” he added.

Underscoring there was no way to make the government answerable at parliamentary committees – Bonde said that there needs to be a way to be the government and cabinet ministers answerable. He added that his remarks were in no way related to MDP’s internal elections.

“I am not talking about this because of Imthiyaz Fahumy’s campaign, or anyone else’s. I am talking about it because this happens and because the public talks about it,” he had said. 

Meanwhile, at yesterday's sitting, Addu City Meedhoo MP Rozaina Adam stated that the parliament’s supermajority was given to MDP to cooperate with the undertakings of the government.