Speaker is not the President, Supreme Court ruling still exists: MP Jabir

Chair of the parliament Public Accounts Commission MP Abdulla Jabir has issued a stark warning to Speaker of the Parliament Abdulla Shahid, saying that the Supreme Court ruling stating the current presidency will continue is still in place and that Shahid is not the President of Maldives.

MP Jabir’s made his remarks while berating the Speaker of the Parliament in a parliament committee, after the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Dr Mohamed Muizzu was turned away from the Public Accounts Committee today, on the orders of the Speaker.

Being informed that the Housing Minister was sent away, MP Jabir telephoned the Speaker and said: “You are the Speaker of the Parliament. You are not the President of the State. Supreme Court ruling still exists. Shahid, you are confused.”

Housing Minister Muizzu was sent away after he attended the Public Accounts Committee meeting today, after being told that he no longer held legal status in the government.

“Shahid, you cannot do this. If you do this, I will [work to] dismiss you as the Speaker of Parliament. To challenge you on this, Shahid. Don’t think that you can challenge and win.”

“If you challenge me and go ahead, this will end very badly,” MP Jabir said, before disconnecting the call.

He accused the Speaker of obstructing committee proceedings and said that Housing Minister had the right to be present at the committee meeting today.