62 questions unanswered in two years; Muthalib tops non-responsive ministers

Main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s parliamentary group has voiced serious concern regarding the continued failure of government ministers to provide answers to a significant number of questions formally submitted by the party’s lawmakers.

In a letter addressed to Parliament Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla, MDP’s North Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudoo) underscored that 62 questions submitted between December 4, 2024 and January 13, 2025, remains unanswered.

The breakdown of the questions submitted by members is as follows:

• North Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudoo): 27 questions
• Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad (Fittey): 2 questions
• South Galolhu MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem: 5 questions
• South Hulhumale’ MP Dr. Ahmed Shamheed: 3 questions
• Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir: 9 questions
• Hanimaadhoo MP Abdul Ghafoor Moosa (Gapo): 2 questions
• Kanditheemu MP Ameen Faisal: 3 questions
• Maradhoo MP Ahmed Didi: 2 questions
• Maavah MP Ahmed Shakir: 7 questions
• Keyodhoo Mohamed Niushad: 1 question
• South Hithadhoo MP Ibrahim Nazil: 1 question

The letter identifies the Minister of Construction and Infrastructure, Dr. Abdulla Muththalib, as the minister with the highest number of pending questions, having failed to respond to 22 inquiries. He is followed by Minister of Finance Moosa Zameer, who has 19 unanswered questions.

Additionally, Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdulla Khaleel each have three outstanding responses. Other ministers with pending inquiries include Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed, Minister of Housing, Land, and Urban Development Dr. Ali Haidar Ahmed, and Minister of Dhivehi Language, Culture, and Heritage Adam Naseer Ibrahim.

In his letter, Kudoo urged Speaker Abdul Raheem to facilitate the necessary arrangements to ensure that such delays do not continue and that the constitutional accountability of the executive is upheld.

Notably, members of the MDP parliamentary group have previously visited both the Housing Ministry and Finance Ministry to personally follow up on these delayed responses, as the opposition continues to highlight the government’s perceived lack of transparency and responsiveness.