News

Speaker: Supreme Court cannot dictate how Parliament is run

Published

3 months ago

11/02/2024

Not even the Supreme Court has the authority to dictate how the Parliament is run, said Speaker Mohamed Aslam on Sunday, three days after the top court ordered the suspension of a controversial amendment to the legislative body’s standing orders.

The amendment in questioned lowered the votes required to impeach the president and vice president – granting opposition lawmakers the power to impeach President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, if they wish.

The Attorney General’s Office filed a case with the Supreme Court over the amendment on January 28.

On February 8, the court issued an injunction suspending the amendment until it makes a final ruling.

Opening Sunday’s sitting, Aslam – who served as the main opposition MDP’s top lawmaker before he was elected as Speaker in December – said that despite the temporary order, the Supreme Court has not established whether the amendment is unconstitutional.

Aslam said that he found it concerning, and opened the floor for a one-hour debate for lawmakers to discuss a course of action.

“I also announce that in adherence to the court order, the total number of parliamentarians will be counted as 87, until determined otherwise,” he added.

Aslam said that it will be the Parliament itself that dictates how it should function.

The constitution is clear that this is a power vested in the Parliament, he said.

“I therefore do not believe that any other institute or power of the state has the authority to dictate how the Parliament is run. It will be decided by the honorable members of this Parliament,” he said.

He said that the total number of parliamentarians will be counted as 87, until the parliamentarians determine otherwise.

He said a decision will be made before the sitting proceeds.

The constitution declares that an impeachment motion against the president or vice president requires the vote of two-thirds of the Parliament.

Seven lawmakers resigned from the Parliament in November, to assume top positions in President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration. But the Elections Commission decided against holding by-elections, so close to the parliamentary elections.

Taking advantage of the situation, the MDP – which holds a majority in the Parliament – amended the Parliament’s standing orders so that vacated seats aren’t counted when determining the total number of MPs.

Therefore, the Parliament currently requires 54 votes to impeach President Muizzu, instead of the previous 58, as according to the amendment to the standing orders, the total number of MPs is now 80, instead of 87.

The MDP and its ally Democrats have 56 MPs between them; 43 MPs from MDP, and 13 from Democrats.

They therefore have the power to impeach the president, if they wish.

The MDP has warned they plan on filing a motion to impeach President Muizzu before the current term ends in May.

Source(s): sun.mv

News

Asia-Pacific Blue Economy Forum comes to Maldives

Published

3 hours ago

12/05/2024

The Asia-Pacific Blue Economy Forum for 2024 has been scheduled to be held in the Maldives.

Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed confirmed the forum will be held in the Maldives, noting it was privilege to become the forum’s host.

Besides this, the minister welcomed the high-level representation from Climate Finance Network (CFN) countries, and added the he was eager to “witness quick translation of forum outcomes into tangible action”.

The Asia-Pacific Blue Economy Forum will be organized and hosted by the ministry in association with the UNDP Maldives, with the support of Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

The forum aims to encourage the sustainability of ocean resources, improvement of economic prowess and employment scope related to the maritime and fisheries sectors.

Source(s): sun.mv

News

Minister confirms redeployment of all Indian militants

Published

20 hours ago

11/05/2024

Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon has disclosed that the 76 Indian militants stationed in the Maldives have been successfully redeployed. The redeployment of foreign troops from the nation is a commitment of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

The withdrawal of the Indian military troops stationed by May 10 in the Maldives, as per the pledge of President Dr. Muizzu, were officially announced today at a press conference held at the President’s Office. The troops were redeployed in batches, with the first batch redeployed in March. This was followed by the withdrawal of the second batch of militants in April and the last batch on May 10.

Details on the withdrawal of the foreign troops are as follows: In March, a total of 26 soldiers who were stationed in Gan, Addu City were redeployed, with 12 militants redeployed on March 7 and 14 militants on March 9. Meanwhile, 25 military personnel in Hanimaadhoo, Haa Dhaalu Atoll withdrew, with 13 soldiers redeployed on April 7 and 12 on May 9. The troops stationed in Kadhdhoo, Laamu Atoll were redeployed with 12 personnel withdrawing the platforms on May 7 and 13 by May 9.

Speaking at the press conference, Minister Ghassan revealed that the foreign soldiers working at Senahiya Military Hospital are doctors, and there were no plans to redeploy them. The minister assured that these soldiers were not partaking in any military roles.

Source(s): PsmNews

News

Foreign Minister prioritises talks with India to expedite projects

Published

20 hours ago

11/05/2024

Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer has affirmed that significant strides have been made in expediting projects initiated in the Maldives with financial assistance from the Indian Government.

Following his official visit to India at the invitation of Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar, Minister Zameer said that a spectrum of initiatives across the nation has been kickstarted through loans and grants from the Government of India during the previous administration. He emphasised the current government’s commitment to prioritising the resumption and completion of these projects. He also underscored his dedication to this endeavor during his recent visit to India.

Additionally, Minister Zameer disclosed that both ministers engaged in bilateral discussions on May 9 to address pivotal matters aimed at expediting the projects. He underscored the discussions with Minister S. Jaishankar, focusing on the operational dynamics of the committees entrusted with executing these projects.

During the official discussions between the two nations, Minister S. Jaishankar reiterated the significance of India’s ongoing projects in the Maldives.

Source(s): PsmNew