Enraged lawmakers emerge against Technology Minister for comments

Minister of Communication, Science, and Technology Maleeh Jamaal has enraged MDP lawmakers in the parliament after comments stating that it was not the parliament which should direct how the government should be run. 

Speaking in a TV program, Minister Maleeh said that some lawmakers seemed to think that they are the ones running the government. He added that the parliament cannot decide on the policy of the government and was not the responsibility of the parliament. 

The Minister, filling the position on behalf of the Jumhooree Party also said that he would not give allow for a parliamentary system. 

These comments have led to the ire of the MDP lawmakers to be directed towards the Minister. 

Ungoofaaru MP Mohamed Waheed said took to Twitter to express his displeasure with a lesser-known traditional term. MP for North Maafannu Imthiyaz Fahmy in a sarcastic manner replied to the tweet that the Minister’s statements were by a mistake. 

“I think that he was trying to say that ‘Maleeh doesn’t know’ instead of saying that the ‘Parliament doesn’t know’.” Said MP Imthiyaz. 

Vilufushi MP Hassan Afeef also called on Ministers to fulfill their responsibilities and that the parliament would hold the Ministers accountable if they fail. 

MP for South Galolhu said that since Maleeh took office, he had been more focused on responding to his critics than doing his job.

He took things even further when he stated “There is no confidence in you remaining to run the institution.”

MP for Madaveli Hussain Firushan questioned whether the relevant regulations and policies had been formulated by Maleeh in relation to his ministry and whether the Minister was hesitant in stating his failure to do so. 

“It would be better if you do the work in the mandate of the Ministry. It is not right when you take leave whenever faced with something big.” Said the MP. 

Inguraidhoo MP Hassan Ahmed said that the technology and communication ministry had failed to do anything despite two years since the current administration took office. 

“You spent time planting 10, 12 trees chili plants on your own terrace. Maleeh doesn’t know how to run the parliament.” Said the MP. 

MP Hussain Shameem representing South Henveiru even went as far as to joke at the height of the Minister while Feydhoo MP Mohamed Nihaad questioned Maleeh’s position on posing questions on the responsibilities of the parliament. 

Speaker of the Parliament Mohamed Nasheed retweeted all of these tweets.

This is not the first time Maleeh has received backlash from the parliament and is one of the most targeted figures of the government for criticism. The main sticking point is the Minister’s failure to reduce internet prices. Maleeh has responded by saying that his ministry had sent plans for this to the President’s Office which were not approved.