Two government coalition MPs decide to vote in favour of removing President

Two Members of Parliament (MP) of Jumhooree Party (JP), which is part of the government coalition, Kaashidhoo MP Abdullah Jabir and Feydhoo MP Alhan Fahmy have announced that they will vote in favour of removing President Dr Mohamed Waheed from office.

The no-confidence motion against the President was signed and submitted to Parliament by 26 MPs of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). The issue is currently in the process of being put on the Parliament agenda.

Jabir and Alhan are the first MPs to announce that they will vote to remove the President from office.

Alhan said while speaking at a press conference held today by MDP’s Maafannu-north MP Imthiyaz Fahmy, Maafannu-south MP Ibrahim Rasheed, Jabir and Alhan; that he no longer has any confidence in President Waheed.

He said that the government sees MPs as a threat to the government, and that President Waheed had spoken to foreign media in a manner that could defame MPs.

Alhan said that cases against 14 MPs are currently going through Court and investigation processes, and accused the government of planning these activities against MPs.

He further accused the government of listening to MPs’ phone conversations.

“President Waheed is behind the government’s efforts to threaten MPs. He has made threatening statements directly in public speeches,” he said.

Earlier, while speaking at the Parliament, Alhan called for the resignation of President Waheed and warned that a no-confidence motion will be filed against him.

Jabir supported Alhan at today’s press conference, and said that President Waheed should be removed from office.

“We should by no means allow President Waheed to remain in office. He wasn’t elected. We have no confidence in him. I will definitely vote in favour of the no-confidence motion,” Jabir said.

He said that a no-confidence motion against Home Minister Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed is being prepared to be submitted to the Parliament, and that he had signed the motion.

Jabir said that he will do everything possible at Parliament level to end efforts to threaten MPs.

Alhan said that other parties will also join their fight against MPs being threatened, and that Police Commissioner Abdullah Riyaz will be summoned to the Parliamentary 241 Committee for questioning on the murder of Ungoofaaru MP Dr Afrasheem Ali.

When asked if JP had changed its stand on the government coalition, JP Spokesperson Moosa Rameez said that the party did not wish to comment on this matter just yet.He said that members have the right to express their views.