Speaker

Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) MP Ahmed Mahloof has said the motion of no confidence against Speaker of the Parliament Abdulla Shahid scheduled for today was recalled without the approval of the party’s parliamentary group.

MP Mahoof said the two MPs who recalled their names from the motion were directed by the government, and that PPM's parliamentary group was not pleased with the move.

“There was a motion of no confidence against the Speaker of the Parliament and our people had recalled the motion without our knowledge. This has turned out to be hard for us to believe.

“All those who support our views have been wanting to decided on a no-confidence motion against Abdulla Shahid. But after all we’ve done through hope and after we’ve submitted this motion, we saw people within us do this, according to the direction from the people at the top. We are very displeased. A lot of out members are not happy about this,” MP Mahloof said.

He also criticized the government for allowing MP Hamid Abdul Gafoor to return home after his continued stay in parliament. The MP returned to his residence after a four-week refuge from authorities in fear of being produced before the court.

MP Hamid exited parliament compounds on Tuesday after receiving assurance that he will be allowed to stay in his own residence. MP Hamid said this assurance was a result of the new relationship between the government and his party, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

MP Mahloof said although the President Yameen had assured that he will not discriminate, the citizens have already started complaining, less than a week into his presidency.