Thasmeen criticises Yameen and PPM members for not participating in vote of consent

Leader of Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) has severely criticised Parliamentary Group Leader of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Abdullah Yameen, and said that Attorney General Aishath Bisam and Minister of Gender, Family and Human Rights Aishath Azima Shakoor did not get parliament approval because some members of PPM did not participate in the vote taken in this regard today.

Thasmeen made this accusation while speaking to reporters outside the parliament building this afternoon.

“Abdullah Yameen and some of his supporters did not attend the parliament [when the vote was taken]; this move was led by PPM Presidential Candidate Abdullah Yameen. This resulted in two ministers not being given parliament approval,” he said.

The MPs of PPM who did not participate in the vote were Guraidhoo MP Ibrahim Riza and Fonadhoo MP Abdul Raheem Abdullah. Abdullah Yameen is presently on a campaign trip to Addu City.

The remaining MPs of PPM participated in the vote taken today.

Thasmeen said that despite claims by PPM that they would strive to sustain the government, today we got to see Yameen’s ‘inner nature’ and we are fortunate to know this before the election.

He said that Azima Shakoor made great efforts to free Yameen when he was arrested by the previous administration, and Yameen not voting for Azima today thus also shows his nature in terms of humaneness.

“Before we make a decision about a person who has decided to stand in a presidential election, we have to think about what kind of person he is in terms of compassion as well. We remember what happened when the government of former president Mohamed Nasheed illegally arrested Yameen. Then, it was Azima Shakoor who stood by his side day and night, and worked day and night to free him. PPM has previously granted approval for Azima Shakoor. Today, when Yameen acted as the leader and decided not to grant approval for Azima for political purposes, the people got to see what kind of a person he is in terms of compassion,” Thasmeen said.

Thasmeen said that despite the fact that a group of PPM members decided to reject the names sent by the government, the present government still has the support of the people as well as enough support of the parliament.

Moreover, the fact that PPM members voted differently on the issue of granting consent for ministers has revealed that there is division within the party, said Thasmeen.

The vote of consent for Aishath Bisam went into a tie with 32 votes for and against, while Felidhoo MP Yoosuf Naeem abstained. The tie was broken with the vote from Speaker of the Parliament Abdulla Shahid, who voted against granting consent for the Attorney General to remain in her post.

Azima Shakoor, Minister of Gender, Family and Human Rights, received 33 votes against 31 votes in favour. MPs who voted against granting approval for Azima include MPs of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and PPM’s Ahmed Mahloof.