JP and MDP MPs boycott committee reviewing SEZ bill
13 Aug 2014, 5:12 PM
Jumhooree Party (JP) and Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MPs boycotted parliament’s economic affairs committee today in protest of alleged procedural violations by the committee’s chair in his haste to complete reviewing the government’s flagship special economic zone (SEZ) legislation.
Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) MP Abdulla Khaleel – the committee’s chairperson – was “repeatedly violating Majlis rules and committee rules as well,” said JP Leader Gasim after walking out of a meeting this morning and raising a point of order at the ongoing parliament sitting.
The SEZ law would authorise a board formed by the president “to sell off the entire country in the name of economic zones,” the business tycoon said.
He added that the committee was not considering recommendations by state institutions concerning relaxed regulations, exempted import duties and tax incentives.
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