Disciplinary complaints made against 4 PPM lawmakers

Disciplinary complaints have been filed against four ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) lawmakers with the party’s Disciplinary Committee.

Complaints against the lawmakers – Kelaa MP Ali Arif, Naifaru MP Ahmed Shiyam, Hulhudhoo MP Mohamed Shahid, and Fonadhoo MP and Deputy Leader of PPM Abdul Raheem Abdulla by two ordinary party members.

Shahid and Shiyam have filed a case with court over PPM Leader Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s order to conduct party activities with his permission.

Disciplinary Committee has been asked to penalize Shahid and Shiyam for taking the party’s lawfully elected Leader to court.

Shiyam spoke to “Sun” on Tuesday and said that he would not create an obstacle to strengthening democracy within the party.

He said that the lawsuit was filed against Maumoon because hindering the internal democracy of PPM.

“This is not a one-man party. The current government is a PPM government. Therefore, if the party freezes, it would affect the services provided to citizens. Isn’t it?” said Shiyam.

Disciplinary Committee has been asked to penalize Abdul Rahman because he had bad-mouthed the party’s leader to media, in such a way that it tarnished Maumoon’s reputation and violated the party’s constitution.

Disciplinary Committee has been asked to penalize Arif for a similar reason – spreading false information regarding the party’s leader to media on July, during the press conference held in Muliaage.

The complaints have been sent from PPM office to Disciplinary Committee.

Complaints regarding three other PPM lawmakers have already been sent to Disciplinary Committee. They are: Vilimale MP and Leader of PPM Parliamentary Group Ahmed Nihan

Hussain Manik, Dhaandhoo MP Ahmed Assad and Dhiggaru MP Faris Maumoon.

Disciplinary Committee’s earlier decision to remove him from the party after he violated a three-line whip was declared void as proper procedures were not followed.

Division appeared within PPM after differences arose between Maumoon and his half-brother – current Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.