Maumoon: Penalizing Faris is unjust, his decision was justified

Leader of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has said that singling out a particular PPM lawmaker to Disciplinary Committee over violating the party whip-line while so many lawmakers have gone unpunished over the same violation was unjust.

He made the statement in response to the letter sent by PPM Parliamentary Group Leader, Vilimale’ MP Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik to Disciplinary Committee, requesting lawmaker Faris Maumoon to be penalized for violating the party whip-line.

“Sun” has been able to obtain a copy of the letter sent by Maumoon to Nihan, in response to the Parliamentary Group’s letter to Disciplinary Committee.

Maumoon said in the letter that he did not consider it a problem that Faris had violated the whip-line as he had acted upon instructions given by the leader of the party, in accordance with PPM Constitution.

Nihan’s letter read that Faris had violated the regulation of PPM Parliamentary Group, and that they had therefore decided to ask Disciplinary Committee to remove Faris from the Parliamentary Group.

He said the decision was made with the unanimous vote of 30 of the total 43 lawmakers that belong to the Group, present during the meeting held at People’s Majlis last Thursday.

Maumoon said in his response that PPM National Council had passed no such PG “regulation” mentioned by Nihan in his letter.

“Sun” has been informed that Parliamentary Group requested disciplinary action against Faris upon request of President Abdulla Yameen.

Yameen had said in a Viber group which includes PPM lawmakers that members that refuse to pass bills needed to enforce the policies of the party need to be penalized.

Meanwhile, Maumoon has ordered that no PPM committee can hold a meeting without his permission.