Extraordinary sitting slated for tomorrow for cabinet approval

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu chairs a cabinet meeting. (Photo/President's Office)

An additional extraordinary sitting out of session has been slated for 11:00pm tomorrow with cabinet approval on the agenda.

Initially, an extraordinary sitting was scheduled for Sunday with the vote on the 22-member new cabinet on schedule. But just ahead of the vote, the MDP parliamentary group convened for a meeting, during which it issued a three-line red whip to withhold support to four government ministers.

This prompted protests from pro-government MPs which hindered the sitting from proceeding.

Subsequently, a recess was initiated and the vote the rescheduled for 8:00pm tonight. The ruling PPM-PNC coalition MPs had obstructed the speaker from carrying out as the sitting resumed following which another recess was initiated.

The sitting again resumed at approximately 10:40pm. At the time, the Speaker Mohamed Aslam had been seated the seating area allocated for ministers. Although he attempted to ask for the vote, the ruling coalition’s MP had been blowing horns and loudly protesting.

Speaker Aslam repeatedly urged the members to adhere to the parliament’s regulations in order to proceed with the legislative body’s works. However, ruling coalition MPs refused.

Therewith, Speaker Aslam announced the conclusion of the sitting as circumstances hindered the sitting from proceeding. While concluding the sitting, he did not specify a date for the next sitting.

MDP passed a three-line red whip to withhold approval to four cabinet ministers, including the attorney general.

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