Parliament

PPM wants to let convicts contest local council elections

Opposition MPs accused the ruling party of seeking to grant the PPM’s ticket to convicts ahead of April’s local council elections.

Airport development fee to be introduced in 2017

A contentious Airport Development Charge of US$12 for Maldivians and US$25 for foreigners departing from the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport was voted through by the ruling party-dominated parliament Thursday night.

Parliament approves MVR26.7bn budget for 2017

The parliament passed with a 60-vote majority on Thursday the MVR26.7 billion (US$1.7 billion) budget proposed for 2017, approving the government’s spending plans and revenue raising measures without any revisions.

Parliament rejects proposal to invalidate tagged ballot papers

Ruling coalition lawmakers voted against a proposal to invalidate ballot papers with symbols or markings a day after voting to accept the government-sponsored bill for consideration and sending it to a committee for review.

President authorised to constitute religious advisory body

The parliament has granted President Abdulla Yameen the power to appoint members to the Fatwa Majlis, an advisory body that has the final say on religious disputes.

Parliament denies RTI request for list of MPs who declared assets

Refusing to disclose a list of MPs who have declared their assets, the parliament secretariat cited discretion under the landmark Freedom of Information Act to deny requests “where the information is concerning the personal affairs of a third person.”

Finance minister presents MVR26.7bn budget for 2017

Along with an ambitious infrastructure scale-up, the finance minister said the budget is geared towards bringing the Maldives’ growing debt on a sustainable footing

Maldives parliament endorses decision to quit Commonwealth

The People’s Majlis endorsed today President Abdulla Yameen’s decision for the Maldives to quit the Commonwealth over alleged unfair treatment, interference in domestic affairs, and threats to sovereignty and independence.

Majlis reconvenes with debate on food subsidy cut

The People’s Majlis reconvened after a one-month recess today with a heated debate about the doubling of prices for staple foods after the government’s abrupt decision to target subsidies for the needy.

Gayoom praises PPM MPs for rejecting ‘unconstitutional’ bills

Gayoom, who heads the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives, said the lawmakers who voted against the party’s whip line did so “in line with the ruling party’s principles and objectives”.

Press freedom concerns unaddressed in revised defamation bill

A revised bill on criminalising defamation and imposing severe restrictions on free speech was introduced to parliament last Tuesday without addressing concerns raised by Maldivian journalists.

Opposition MPs protest in parliament over jailing of Mahloof

MDP MPs clamoured for the immediate release of their jailed colleague and called for President Yameen’s resignation. Speaker Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed adjourned proceedings shortly after the protest began in the People’s Majlis chamber.

Majlis grants ministers authority over top civil servant

Warning that the changes would compromise the civil service’s impartiality and meritocracy, PPM MP Faris Maumoon breached the ruling party’s whip line again and voted against the bill.

Government authorised to lease islands without bidding

The ruling party-controlled parliament voted through today controversial changes to the tourism law that authorises the government to lease islands for resort development without a competitive bidding process.

Majlis fast-tracks bill to lease islands without bidding

MPs question government’s sincerity in tackling jihadi recruitment

Expanding executive power on agenda as Majlis reconvenes

The People’s Majlis returned from recess Tuesday for the second session of 2016 with bills on expanding executive powers as the first order of business.Ruling party MP Abdul Latheef Mohamed proposed amending the 2007 civil service law to require the Civil Service Commission to consult ministers before appointing permanent secretaries, who must also manage the ministry “in accordance with the minister’s advice and instructions”.

Majlis approves use of pension fund to buy homes

The People’s Majlis voted unanimously Tuesday to amend the Pension Act to allow members of the Maldives Retirement Pension Scheme to collateralise their savings to make down-payments under state-run home ownership or social housing programmes.

Majlis passes long-awaited Criminal Procedures Act

The landmark Criminal Procedure Act, comprising of 30 chapters, codifies in detail the rules to investigate, prosecute and pass judgment on suspected criminal offenders. The legislation had been pending for seven years at the People’s Majlis.

Parliament creates second deputy prosecutor general post

Pro-government MPs say having more than one deputy prosecutor general will ensure that the criminal justice system will function in the absence of a PG. But opposition MPs contend that the change is aimed at ensuring that one of the deputies will do President Abdulla Yameen’s bidding if the PG refuses to unfairly prosecute a political opponent.