Opposition MPs walk out of Budget Committee meeting

Opposition parliamentarians walked out of the Budget Evaluation Committee meeting held this Monday over disagreements over time allocation for debate.

Monday’s agenda for the Budget Committee included hearing the recommendations of the Maldives Monetary Authority and Auditor General’s Office to the budget, and debating over the two recommendations.

When the two recommendations were opened for debate, deputy leader of ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), Vilifushi MP Riyaz Rasheed suggested allocating three minutes of debate time to each MP.

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) member, Maradhoo MP Ibrahim Shareef protested that debate time for all previous meetings were allocated according to political party.

The opposition MPs alleged MP Riyaz Rasheed’s suggestion was an attempt to silence the voice of MDP because of the few number of MDP MPs at the committee. The opposition MPs accused MP Riyaz Rasheed of attempting to take undue advantage of the majority.

“I am losing my right. MDP has been allocated 20 minutes according to general parliament regulation. If you do this, we won’t give you the opportunity the day we get majority either, will we?” said MP Ibrahim Shareef.

“Majoritaniasm is against public interest. We need to protect the rights of even the weakest. We do not accept this. We are walking out of here. I am telling you we are walking out of here. We don’t want anything. Give us the 20 minutes we are due, or if you want your majority, we are walking out of here,” said MP Ibrahim Shareef.

In response, Secretary-General of PPM, Nilandhoo MP Dr. Abdulla Khaleel said MDP MPs failing to attend the committee meeting showed their lack of responsibility towards the country and their constituents, and said to talk example from PPM’s parliamentary group.

Chair of the committee, leader of PPM’s parliamentary group, Vilimale’ MP Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik attempted to restore peace. However, MP Riyaz Rasheed refused to withdraw his suggestion, and said he didn’t care if the opposition walked out.

The opposition MPs then walked out of the committee meeting.

Budget Evaluation Committee – a combination of the Economic Committee and Public Finance Committee has 24 MPs. Monday’s meeting was attended by 20 of the MPs; 11 PPM MPs, four Jumhoory Party MPs, three MDP MPs, and two MDA MPs.