Nazil says parliamentary sessions are only functioning because of the work of MDP members

Parliamentary sessions in the ruling PNC’s supermajority Parliament are now being held only because of the efforts of opposition MDP members, MDP parliamentary group leader and Hithadhoo South MP Ibrahim Nazil said Thursday evening.

Speaking at a party camp meeting, Nazil said the current parliamentary leadership is starkly different from how it operated when former President and party chairman Mohamed Nasheed served as Speaker. He said the results of the last parliamentary session were clearly visible to the public, with the work earning “A” and “A-plus” grades.

“If the results of the current Parliament are released, I will say we will have to finish at C-plus-plus,” Nazil said.

Nazil said the questions submitted by MDP members to ministers have remained on the agenda for the past three weeks, with no other work being carried out.

“The Parliament is being held by the work of the 13 MDP members. Otherwise, they would not have an agenda to hold the sessions of this sitting,” Nazil said.

އެމްޑީޕީގެ ހަރުގެ ޖަލްސާގައި
އެމްޑީޕީގެ ޕާލިމެންޓްރީ ގްރޫޕުގެ ރައީސް @HithadhooNazil

އެމްޑީޕީގެ ކުރީގެ ނައިބް ރައީސް @MDPShippe

ވަނީ ވާހަކަފުޅު ދައްކަވާފައި. pic.twitter.com/m3zt19dxca

— MDP Secretariat (@MDPSecretariat) July 16, 2026

He added that members outside the MDP do not know how to handle the people’s affairs.

The MDP has previously expressed concern that Parliament is not doing enough work this session. Each MP receives a committee allowance of MVR 20,000, yet MDP members said on the 8th of this month that committee meetings now last less than 15 minutes.

Many committees on the parliamentary agenda are cancelled, while others conclude within five or ten minutes. There are also issues with irregular meetings.

Government-majority MPs receive high salaries and extensive state-funded benefits. The state budget allocates significant funds every year to run parliamentary administration. However, there is persistent public concern that MPs are not working in proportion to the salaries and allowances they receive.