Nazil: It's clear PNC will not ascertain citizens’ rights

It is clear from the recent actions of the presidency of the Parliament that the main ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) – which holds a supermajority at the legislative assembly - will not ascertain the rights of the people, says Ibrahim Nazim, the leader of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s parliamentary group.

The morning session of Monday’s sitting was suspended after opposition lawmakers left their seats and voiced displeasure over Housing Minister Dr. Ali Haidar’s responses to questions over delays in handover of housing awarded during the last MDP administration – resulting in loss of order within the chamber.

During the sitting, Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad questioned why the incumbent administration was reviewing the list of recipients of flats under the ‘Gedhoruveriya’ housing scheme and not the list of recipients of land under the ‘Binveriya’ scheme.

Haidar’s response failed to appease Ziyad, who raised a point of order and accused Haidar of deliberately dodging the question.

Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla, the chairperson of PNC, rejected the claim, saying it did not constitute a point of order.

Ziyad raised a second point of order and attempted to question Haidar. Abdul Raheem denied him the chance, saying that he cannot use a point of order to question the minister.

Ziyad then left his seat, and walked in front of the desk of the presidency, and began loudly voicing his protest.

Abdul Raheem called Ziyad’s name for disorderly conduct and asked him to leave the chamber.

The MDP parliamentary group called a press briefing shortly after, during which they said that the party remained steadfast in advocating for the rights of the Maldivian people.

Nazil, who was among three more MDP lawmakers named by Abdul Raheem for disorderly behavior in the ensuing chaos, said that the people should be questioning why the Speaker failed to instruct Haidar to properly answer questions.

He said that the MDP does not believe the Speaker should have expelled Ziyad from the chamber. He said that other MDP lawmakers, including he himself, left their seats and joined Ziyad in protest because they found the decision unacceptable.

“But from the actions of the presidency today, it is clear that PNC lawmakers, who hold full control of the Parliament with their supermajority, will not ascertain the rights of the people. We are clear on this now,” he said.

In addition to Ziyad and Nazil, the Speaker also named Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir and Keyodhoo MP Mohamed Niushad for disorderly behavior.

During Monday’s sitting, Haidar criticized the former MDP administration.  He said that plots awarded “from the sea and the lagoon” cannot be truly considered land plots. He was unable to say when the government can begin handing over land from Gulhifalhu, but said that the handover process will be done from Hulhumale’ Phase II by the end of October.

Over 9,000 people were awarded plots from land reclaimed from Hulhumale’, Gulhifalhu and Giraavarufalhu under the ‘Binveriya’ scheme.