Parliament dismisses emergency motion to cap political positions

The parliament on Tuesday’s sitting had dismissed the emergency motion submitted by opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) calling a cap on political positions and reduction of remuneration in state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

This marks the third MDP-submitted emergency motion in two weeks that the parliament has dismissed.

The motion was submitted by Kendhoo MP from the opposition party, Mauroof Zakir demanding to cap the number of political appointees.

Earlier on July 03^rd, South-Galolhu MP from MDP Meekail Ahmed Naseem submitted an emergency motion demanding the state reveal the total number of political appointees and the total expenditure incurred by SOEs in remuneration to staff.

At Tuesday’s sitting, the emergency motion attracted only 12 votes, all from MDP while government-aligned 57 members voted against it.

Mauroof, in the emergency motion he submitted, highlighted President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and his administration’s decision to reduce government’s recurrent expenditure with a cap on political positions and other austerity measures.

However, the motion also highlights allegations of current total number of political appointees exceeding 2,000 despite the government’s policy to maintain the figure below 700. MDP in the motion, alleged President Muizzu had abused his presidential discretion in appointing for political posts.

Mauroof in his argument highlighted the appointment of former Feydhoo MP Mohamed Nihad as the new State Minister of Tourism on Monday. Nihad had joined ruling PNC by the culmination of the 19^th parliamentary assembly.

The emergency motion stressed concerns of the public and MDP over the surge in political appointees, and called for an immediate halt on it.

While the ruling PNC-led parliament had dismissed both motions related to the capping political positions, parliament on Monday had dismissed another emergency motion alleging the state was failing to regularly pay stipends or allowances to students studying abroad.

The motion was submitted by South-Hithadhoo MP from MDP Ibrahim Nazil.

PNC in response said it would disallow MDP’s attempts to waste parliament’s valuable time, and called the recent attempts by the opposition a cowardice act.

The ruling party claimed MDP was deliberately attempting to intervene more pressing matters at the parliament with their motions.

Meanwhile, PNC has called to cap the number of emergency motions that can be submitted at the parliament.

Right after winning the super-majority of the 20^th parliament assembly, the ruling party claimed parliament will accept all matters related to the public’s interest and assured equal opportunities for opposition parties to raise their concerns as well.