Parliament sitting suspended as MDP lawmakers protest delay in land handover

The morning session of a parliamentary sitting was suspended on Monday, after lawmakers from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) – left their seats and voiced displeasure over Housing Minister Dr. Ali Haidar’s responses to questions over delays in handover of housing awarded during the last administration – resulting in loss of order within the chamber.

During the questioning session, MDP lawmakers expressed displeasure over the delay in handover of plots of land under the previous administration’s ‘Binveriya’ housing scheme.

Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad questioned why the incumbent administration was reviewing the list of recipients of flats under the ‘Gedhoruveriya’ scheme and not the list of recipients of land under the ‘Binveriya’ scheme.

Haidar’s response failed to appease Ziyad, who raised a point of order and accused Haidar of deliberately dodging the question.

Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla, the chairman of the main ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), rejected the claim. He said that it did not constitute a point of order. Ziyad continued to voice anger over the issue.

He raised a second point of order and attempted to question Haidar. Abdul Raheem denied him the chance, saying that he cannot use a point of order to question the minister.

Ziyad then left his seat, and walked in front of the desk of the presidency, and began loudly voicing his protest.

Abdul Raheem called Ziyad’s name for disorderly conduct and asked him to leave the chamber.

More MDP lawmakers, including North Hithadhoo MP Ibrahim Nazil - MDP’s parliamentary group leader, Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir and Keyodhoo MP Mohamed Niushad, left their seats and began protesting before the presidency.

Abdul Raheem announced the names of the three lawmakers and asked them to leave the chamber as well.

But as MDP lawmakers continued to protest, Abdul Raheem announced that he was suspending the sitting, and that it would resume at 11:00 am.