Obstructing Presidential Address a violation of the Constitution, says MDA Leader

Leader of Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) and Meedhoo MP Ahmed Siyam Mohamed has said that obstructing the presentation of the Presidential Address by the President at the annual inaugural sitting of the parliament, is a violation of the Constitution.

Siyam made this remark while talking to reporters after the parliament sitting this morning.

He said that as prescribed in the Constitution, it is the President’s duty to present the Presidential Address to the parliament, and described the efforts to obstruct the President’s speech as “uncivilised” and “inhospitable to democracy”.

“PPM-MDA coalition holds majority in the parliament. Considering the total population, this is about 250,000 people. President Yameen’s government is a law-abiding and compassionate government. This government will not fall, god willing, not for five years,” he said.

MPs of opposition parties, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and Jumhooree Party (JP), protested and called for the release of former President Mohamed Nasheed and former Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim, while President Yameen presented his statement this morning. The President however completed his speech amid the noise and chaos, without any disruption.