Bill on prohibiting alcohol and pork submitted to parliament

A bill on prohibiting import of alcohol and pork, under the law on prohibited import goods to Maldives, has been submitted to Parliament.

The bill was submitted by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Parliamentary Group member, Thulhaadhoo MP Nazim Rashad.

Nazim said while presenting the bill, that article 10(b) of the Constitution stipulates that ‘no law contrary to any tenet of Islam shall be enacted in the Maldives’; thus, import and trade of alcohol and pork in the Maldives is a violation of the Constitution.

He stressed the importance of revising the law to prohibit the import of alcohol and pork in the Maldives.

“We often hear rumours that people have alcohol at home in their fridge, available any time. We’ve heard that kids take alcohol to school to drink during their break. The issue is more serious than we think, it should not be ignored,” he said.

MPs spoke in favour during the primary debate on the bill; however the debate process was interrupted twice due to loss of quorum.