Parliament

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.

Campaign workers for President Yameen appointed to broadcasting regulator

The ruling party-dominated parliament has approved six of President Abdulla Yameen’s nominees to the Maldives Broadcasting Commission, including the regulator’s incumbent president and two campaign workers. A group of journalists staged a silent protest outside the People’s Majlis while voting on the nominees took place around 1:30pm.

MP questions composition of parliament’s graft-probe committee

The parliament’s public accounts oversight committee has launched an inquiry into corruption cases under investigation since 2008, including the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation corruption scandal.

Parliamentary committee rejects judge’s complaint over abrupt transfer

The parliament’s independent institutions committee has rejected High Court Judge Dr Azmiralda Zahir’s complaint regarding her transfer to the court’s newly established southern branch.

Human rights watchdog slams “unacceptable” misogynistic behaviour from MPs

Misogynistic remarks and behaviour from MPs that were derogatory towards women at recent sittings of the People’s Majlis are “unacceptable,” the human rights watchdog has said, urging lawmakers not to undermine national efforts for women’s empowerment.

Opposition accused of campaigning for tourism boycott at ITB fair

High Court judge complains over transfer to southern branch

High Court Judge Azmiralda Zahir has filed a complaint with the parliament’s independent institutions oversight committee over her transfer to a southern branch of the appellate court.

Opposition MPs submit no-confidence motion against speaker

Opposition MPs accuse Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed of breaching the constitution and the parliamentary rules of procedure in order to rubber stamp government proposals. Shortly after the news of the no-confidence motion broke, Majority Leader Ahmed Nihan dismissed the possibility of removing Maseeh from the post as the ruling coalition controls 52 seats in the 85-member house.

Change of venue for state opening of People’s Majlis

The People’s Majlis is set to reconvene on Thursday at the Dharubaaruge multi purpose hall instead of the parliament house because of a minor fire that damaged its air conditioning system.

Prosecutor General’s removal draws criticism over ‘due process violations’

Nikhil Narayan from the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) told the The Maldives Independent that the “arbitrary removal” of PG Muhthaz Muhsin is the latest instance in a series of events deepening a crisis of rule of law in the Maldives.

PPM wants to remove Prosecutor General

MPs of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives have submitted a no-confidence motion against Prosecutor General Muhthaz Muhsin. An emergency meeting of the parliament’s independent institutions committee has been called to discuss the motion.

Parliament approves declaration of state of emergency

The parliament today approved President Abdulla Yameen’s declaration of a 30-day state of emergency in the face of criticism from opposition MPs. The unprecedented nationwide state of emergency was approved with 58 votes in favour, 14 votes against, and three abstentions.

Parliamentary rules changed to expedite budget approval

Maldives resort owners back bill criminalising tourism boycott call

“The most commonly used method to call for a boycott is social media. We have a lot of trouble selling our packages in tourism fairs and catalogues because of this,” said Ahmed Nazeer, secretary general of the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI). He told MPs that a law criminalising calls for a tourism boycott is long overdue.

‘Dangerous’ anti-terrorism bill fails to pass

During the final debate on the bill, ruling party MP Mohamed Musthafa said the bill was shaped to “keep MPs at gunpoint” and could be used to criminalise political rhetoric. The government-sponsored legislation was widely expected to be passed into law today, but Musthafa’s proposal to return the bill to committee was passed unanimously with 55 votes in favour.

Committee approves controversial anti-terrorism bill

The parliament’s national security committee has approved a new anti-terrorism bill that opposition MPs fear could be misused to target anti-government activities and jail politicians. The government-sponsored legislation could be put to a vote next week and is likely to pass as the ruling coalition controls a simple majority in the People’s Majlis.

New bill on land sales to close tax loophole

The president’s office explained that under the existing land law, buyers and sellers could agree upon prices without any regulatory controls and evade the 15 percent tax on land sales. The government has submitted amendments to the 2002 Land Act to close the loophole. The changes were proposed after a 1,102 square foot plot of land in Malé was sold last month for MVR1.

President nominates members to National Integrity Commission

The new oversight body was formed on October 6 to replace the Police Integrity Commission (PIC) and the Customs Integrity Commission (CIC) under a law passed by the parliament in late August. The four nominees are Yousuf Maaniu Mohamed, former head of the CIC, Mohamed Farhad, former vice president of the PIC, Hassaan Hameed, and Khadheeja Abdulla.

Parliament approves pay cuts for city councillors

Since President Abdulla Yameen assumed power in November 2013, the government had gradually stripped the Malé City Council of its authority and staff. Nine of the 11 Malé City councilors and all six members of the Addu City Council belong to the MDP. The pay cuts were recommended by the parliament’s public accounts committee after the council’s functions were transferred to the housing ministry.

Government submits bills on Maldivian citizenship, marine transport and GST

The government has submitted amendments to the 1969 Maldivian Citizenship Act to specify procedures for relinquishing citizenship and proposed changes to the 1978 law on sea travel to include new procedures for registering and collecting fees from marine vessels and to authorise the relevant ministry to formulate regulations to enforce the Maldives’ obligations under international treaties and maritime agreements.