No room for a shadow cabinet just now: Moosa

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Interim Chairperson Reeko Moosa Manik has said that the country’s current situation does not allow for the party to appoint a shadow cabinet.

MDP website refers to Moosa and says that MDP fundamental regulation obligates a shadow cabinet because these regulations are based on a parliamentary system. However subsequent to the decision that the Maldives will follow presidential form of government, several amendments were proposed to the regulations at the congress recently. As there were discrepancies among the revisions, a three-member committee was formed to resolve these issues. Moosa hopes that the report which is about to be submitted to the Gaumee Majlis, contains solutions to these issues.

“Even though the party fundamental regulations allow a shadow cabinet, the people still do not believe that MDP is no longer the ruling party. This is the condition the country is in. So what shadow cabinet are we talking about. I am sure that the party president will not act against the party fundamental regulation. He has not requested for an administrative arrangement to appoint such a cabinet so far. He will not do something that is against the general opinion of MDP members,” Moosa said.

However, MDP president Dr Ibrahim Didi has said that several party members were not happy about his efforts to appoint a shadow cabinet as obligated by the party fundamental regulation.

Moosa also condemned the baseless claims that MDP is facing internal problems between party members.

“MDP is the most democratic party in the Maldives; a party where internal democracy functions perfectly. It is the party supported by most. This party is run by following the heartbeat of its general members. No one can divide us up; anyone who tries to do that will lose out. This is how things have happened in the past. I don’t believe that anybody is trying to divide us,” Moosa said.

A resolution is to be presented at today’s MDP Gaumee Majlis meeting for a no-confidence vote against party president Dr Ibrahim Didi, Vice President Alhan Fahmy, and Interim Chairperson Reeko Moosa.