Parliament rules amended, permission not required to arrest MPs

The Parliament has passed an amendment today to its Standing Orders, such that the Speaker of Parliament does not need to be notified prior to the arrest of an MP.

Prior to the amendment, Article 202 (b) stated that the Speaker of Parliament must be notified before an MP is arrested.

The amendment was proposed by Galolhu-dhekunu MP Ahmed Mahloof, who said that the article obstructs Police duty.

The Parliament General Committee, after investigation of the amendment, decided that the Police should inform the Speaker or the Secretary General within 15 minutes after arresting an MP.

It was voted in favour by 27 MPs and against by 18 MPs at the Parliament. Three MPs abstained.

Meanwhile, an amendment has also been proposed to Article 202 (d), which currently states that an MP cannot be arrested before the Parliament makes a decision on an imminent no-confidence motion.

At the same Sitting, another amendment was also passed, which was to add a clause to Article 219 of the Standing Orders.

The added clause, proposed by the General Committee, prohibits people from speaking against Islam at all places governed by the Parliament rules.

This amendment was voted in favour by 35 MPs and against by seven MPs. Four MPs abstained.