Parliament rejects privilege motion against President

The Parliament has rejected the motion submitted by Kaashidhoo MP Abdullah Jabir, alleging the President of interfering with the privileges of Members of Parliament (MPs).

The only proposition that followed the motion was by Mahchangolhi-north MP Mariya Ahmed Didi, who requested that since MPs’ privileges had been interfered with, the case should be forwarded to the Parliament Privileges Committee. This proposition was supported by Maafannu-north MP Imthiyaz Fahmy.

Out of the 65 MPs who participated in the voting for this motion, 39 MPs voted against passing it while 25 MPs voted in favour. There were two abstentions.

The motion submitted by Jabir stated that President Dr Waheed, during his visit to Ga. Dhaandhoo, called on the people of Dhaandhoo to obstruct Dhaandhoo MP Mohamed Riyaz from visiting the islands of this constituency. Jabir also alleged the President of having made comments to attack the Parliament.

Jabir said that President Waheed was behind the movement that calls on senior members of the National Movement “to chase MPs and destroy the Parliament”.

He said that he submitted the motion under article 153 of the parliament procedures, because MPs are threatened psychologically and physically due to the actions of President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik, which have interfered with the privileges of MPs.