Minister mistakenly summoned to Parliament for answer required in writing

Fisheries Minister Dr. Hussain Rasheed Hassan was “mistakenly” summoned to the Parliament on Monday, to answer a question which was requested in writing.

Hussain was summoned to the Parliament on Monday morning for an answer to a question asked by Dhidhdhoo MP Abdulla Waheed, regarding when the construction of the ice plant in Dhidhdhoo was expected to start, and when the ice plant was expected to be complete and operational.

Hussain told the Parliament that the ice plant would be complete within next year.

After he answered the question, the floor was opened for more questions from parliamentarians.

Around 30 minutes in, Maradhoo MP Ibrahim Shareef (Mavota Shareef) raised a point of order, and pointed out that MP Waheed had requested for an answer in writing.

“I believe an answer to Dhidhdhoo MP Abdulla Waheed’s question is also required in writing. The document shows the question was asked under Article 80,” he said.

Parliament Speaker, former President Mohamed Nasheed accepted the point of order, and said the fisheries minister was summoned to the Parliament mistakenly.

“The honorable minister is here today, we asked the honorable minister to come here, by mistake. We were required to ask the honorable minister to submit his answer in writing. This didn’t happen how it should have,” he said.