Public has lost confidence in the parliament: Parliament Members

Some members of the parliament have said today that the general public has lost confidence in the parliament, mainly because of the actions of some of the members.

Talking during the debateon the Committee’s report on establishing secret voting on no-confidence motions, the MP for Meedhoo Ahmed Shiyam Mohamed said that if the parliament amendment passes, the public will perceive the parliament as a place that gives birth to corruption.

The parliament took a vote today to establish secret voting for no-confidence motions submitted to the Parliament against the President, Vice President and Ministers.

Shiyam also said that the public already has lost confidence in the parliament and that they already accuse members of corruption and thievery and that this is mainly because of the way some members act.

“The Maldivian people do not trust this Majlis anymore. Why is that? The indisputable fact is that every political person wants power. You cannot get power from rivalry and anger, the people will not give you power that way. The people will give power, the God almighty will give power to the people, only if he is truthful and has good intentions,” said Shiyam.

Shiyam also said that establishing secret voting for no-confidence motions will allow members to obtain money in immoral ways and that the parliament must not take such a decision in order to “terminate” the president. He also said that if the president is removed from office the economy will crumble and that the nation might even become a failed state.

Talking at the Parliament today PPM parliamentary group member Ahmed Mahloof accused members of taking bribes. Some members from MDP parliamentary group criticized Mahloof’s accusation.

Most members who support the government harshly criticized the report. PPM parliamentary group member Mohamed Mujthaz said that an amendment to the rules of the parliament can only be proposed through a resolution as stipulated by article 142. He also said the amendment should pass the parliament floor to go to the committee for review and that the amendment should then come to the floor with the committee report. He said that this particular amendment was taken to the committee without initially being presented to the floor. Mujthaz said that it cannot be done this way.

Responding to Mujthaz, Parliament Speaker Abdulla Shahid said that the amendment was cleared by the committee and that it has been debated on the floor as well. He also said that this issue has not been brought to the attention to the Parliament Speaker.