Falah and Shamheed reported to committee over damage to Parliament mic

A lawmaker from the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) and one from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) were reported to the Ethics Committee on Wednesday, over damage to a microphone during a scuffle that broke out at the Parliament.

The microphone at the desk of PNC’s parliamentary group leader, Inguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falah got damaged in the morning, amid heated exchanges that broke out when Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed blamed the former MDP administration for delay in a project to develop an Islamic center in Addu’s Hithadhoo district.

Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim, who was presiding the sitting, announced that the mic at Falah’s desk got damaged in the incident, and requires replacement.

He said that the mic got damaged amid a scuffle between Falah and South Hulhumale’ MP Dr. Ahmed Shamheed.

He directed the Privileges and Ethics Committee to conduct an inquiry into the incident.

“This must be investigated and the cost must be covered. I submit this case to the Ethics Committee,” he said.

The incident comes after the Ethics Committee held an inquiry into the damage to a mic at the Independent Institutions Committee meeting room during a scuffle that broke out amid the passage of a contentious bill back in September.

Earlier this week, the committee decided to hold three lawmakers – one from PNC and two from MDP - who had their hands on the mic liable for the damage.