Planning Minister refuses to answer some questions, citing past 'inaccurate' comments

Planning Minister Mohamed Aslam declined to answer some of the questions posed by parliamentarians on Monday, stating that he was not prepared to answer the questions, and had provided inaccurate information to parliamentarians in the past due to lack of preparedness.

Aslam was summoned to the Parliament on Monday morning in response to questions by Kanditheem MP Abdulla Shaheem Abdul Hakeem regarding water and sanitation projects in four islands in Sh. Atoll; Feydhoo, Bilehfahi, Goidhoo and Noomara.

He was also questioned by parliamentarians regarding additional projects by Planning Ministry – both planned and ongoing.

When questioned by Shaheem regarding the Bilehfahi airport project, Aslam said the Planning Ministry was currently managing 251 contracts.

Aslam said that he had mistakenly provided inaccurate information when summoned to the Parliament in the past due to having to answer questions on the spot. He said that the inaccurate statements were not made with the deliberate intention of lying, but were honest mistakes.

“I have, sometimes, when asked questions on the spot by parliamentarians, made comments that aren’t completely accurate. That wasn’t with the intention of lying. I think it best that you, honorable parliamentarians, find the time to sit down with us and seek answers to these questions,” he said.

Aslam declined to answer multiple questions by parliamentarians, sparking complaints.

He responded to the complaints by asking parliamentarians to meet him alone to obtain details regarding projects.