President calls for immediate resumption of Parliament

President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik has advised Members of Parliament (MPs) to resume Parliament sessions immediately.

The Parliament was suspended indefinitely yesterday.

Speaking at the commemoration held in K. Kaashidhoo for the late Police Sergeant Adam Haleem, the President said that MPs should not stay at home at a time when the country is facing serious political and financial challenges.

He pointed out that the Parliament is financed by tax money which is the money of the Maldivian people; hence MPs should be at the service of Maldivian people.

“I strongly call on MPs to return to work and resume the Parliament sessions,” the President said.

While noting that MPs who are loyal to citizens are few, the President urged MPs to set aside politics and work for the benefit of the people.

He strongly condemned and expressed dismay that the Parliament was suspended, and rhetorically questioned how Parliamentarians, who have taken on a country’s parliamentary responsibilities, can act in this manner.

Highlighting that the current government of Maldives is a unitary government, the President said that as in any system of governance where the powers are separated, it is the President’s responsibility to ensure cooperation between the State institutions.

The President also expressed sadness over the recent calls to attack the Police and MNDF, and called on the relevant authorities to take the necessary action to end this.

Today’s ceremony was attended by Commissioner of Police Abdullah Riyaz, Home Minister Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, Ministers, members of Adam Haleem’s family, and almost the entire population of Kaashidhoo.