Azaan: Kicked out of committee for reviewing corruption cases

Ruling PNC’s Central Hithadhoo MP Ahmed Azaan Marzooq states he was kicked out from the Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee for reviewing corruption within state-owned companies.

Azaan was kicked out of two of the most important committees of the Parliament – the Public Accounts Committee and the Security Services Committee (241 Committee) – on Monday.

These changes, along with additional changes to the composition of committees, were announced by Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla during Monday’s sitting.

The changes:

• Azaan replaced with North Henveiru MP Ahmed Aifan on the Public Accounts Committee.
• Azaan replaced with Vilimale’ MP Mohamed Ismail on the Security Services Committee.
• Mohamed Ismail replaced with Azaan on the Privileges and Ethics Committee.
• Aifan replaced with Azaan on Petition Committee

The move to kick Azaan out of the key parliamentary committees come amid rumors that the young lawmaker will soon get expelled from the ruling PNC for his refusal last week to back a controversial bill to downsize the Supreme Court bench from seven to five justices.

Speaking with Sun regarding the matter, Azaan alleged that he was likely kicked out of the Public Accounts Committee over plans to review corruption cases involving highly influential figures through the Committee.

He noted that the procurement process of all state-owned companies was already being reviewed as part of these efforts, with the Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) being the most recent company under review. In this regard, he detailed that the company spent over MVR 65 million last year alone on renting various items.

“When these issues are probed, there is pressure from various directions to not probe them,” he added.

Azaan said changes to the committees are likely a result of pressure from such individuals.

“Nevertheless, I would not cower away from probing these issues,” he stressed.

He underscored, as a lawmaker, there are various ways he can review these issues and ensure accountability, even without being part of the committee. He added that he will continue these efforts through alternative avenues in the future.

Notably, the Public Accounts Committee has investigated cases related to the current administration as well.

Ruling PNC’s bill to downsize the Supreme Court bench from seven to five justices followed weekslong allegations by the opposition that the government was seeking to dismiss some of the members of the top court’s bench to influence a case challenging a contentious amendment to add anti-defection provisions to the Constitution.

The constitutional amendment in question was submitted, passed and ratified in quick succession on November 20. The controversial amendment added three more circumstances where parliamentarians will lose their seat, including if they are expelled from their political party.

Hearings in the case began on February 17 – nearly three months after the case was filed. The state filed a motion to have the case tossed out, arguing that the Supreme Court does not have the jurisdiction to hear it. But the bench decided on February 18 to proceed with the case, and gave the state 10 days to build their case.

The rushed passage of the bill on February 26 came just one hour ahead of a hearing scheduled at the Supreme Court regarding a request for an injunction to suspend the enforcement of the anti-defection clauses.

But shortly before the hearing had been set to begin at 11:00 am, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) announced that three Supreme Court justices – Husnu Al-Suood, Dr. Azmiralda Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir – had been suspended in light of criminal investigations against them by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

With the suspension of the justices, the key constitutional case has now stalled.

Azaan was seen quietly walking out of the chamber as the voting began on the contentious judicature bill, despite getting threatened with disciplinary action by the PNC and getting kicked out of the WhatsApp group for the party's parliamentary group, after he chose to skip the previous day's vote when the bill was accepted into the Parliament.

In a statement regarding the decision, Azaan said that he constitutes to stand by the promise he made during his parliamentary campaign - to prioritize the interests of his constituents and the nation above all else.

Azaan said he believes the bill violates the Constitution, and that supporting it would be in violation of Article 75 of the Constitution, which declares that parliamentarians should be guided in their actions by considerations of national interest and public welfare foremost, and should not exploit their official positions in any way for their own benefit or for the benefit of those with whom they have special relations.

The journalist-turned-lawmaker now faces possible expulsion from the PNC and the loss of his parliamentary seat.

Opposition leaders, including former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, have pledged to back Azaan in the by-election if he loses his seat.