Maldives deadlocked: Parliament ends in chaos as country goes sans cabinet

The Maldives' governance is deadlocked now without a cabinet, and yesterday’s Parliamentary session running into chaos, midst street protests by political parties.

The main opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) protested in Parliament yesterday over the arrest of the two opposition MPs Monday night, just hours after the country’s cabinet staged a mass resignation.

Meemu constituency Parliamentarian and People’s Alliance Leader Abdulla Yamin and Qasim Ibrahim, leader of the Republican Party and Parliamentarian for Maamigili constituency were arrested by police without citing any charges against them.

“Our constitution requires the presence of MPs even whilst in custody or investigations," DRP Leader Thasmeen Ali told journalists yesterday, after Parliament ended in protest.

"He noted that the arrests were clearly to influence the Majlis [parliament] given the majority held by DRP and its allied party PA," a DRP statement said quoting Thasmeen.

“It is unconstitutional to hold Majlis deliberations without the presence of the leaders of Peoples Alliance Hon Mr Abdulla Yameen and the Jumhooree Party, Mr Gasim Ibrahim.”

The party also alleged that police have also been entering houses in Male’ “without warrant” claiming to be in search of Ahmed Nazim, Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
Nazim is also the Deputy Leader of PA.

The DRP alleged President Mohamed Nasheed of resorting to “unconstitutional arrests” of opposition MPs that “undermines democracy and Parliament.”

Former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and President of the DRP Women’s Wing, Dunya Maumoon told Asian Tribune that the constitution requires each ministry to be led by a minister accountable to Parliament.

“Affairs of a nation cannot be run without a cabinet,” she said adding that however the next step of the government is not known.

Meanwhile, Press Secretary to the President’s Office Mohamed Zuhair was not available for comment at the time of going to press.

The out of the blue resignation on Monday night was blamed on the opposition bloc in Parliament, over "hijacking" powers vested with the executive.

The ruling MDP took to streets yesterday against opposition parliamentarians.

A crucial vote of no-confidence against the Education Minister was due in Parliament yesterday.

The opposition dominant Parliament earlier removed Auditor General Ibrahim Naeem over corruption charges and Foreign Minister Dr. Ahmed Shaheed narrowly survived a no-confidence motion, by just one vote.

- Asian Tribune -