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Siraj: I have not withdrawn my signature from the petition
Ismail Rifau, Political Correspondent
Male’, Maldives, 9th February 2006 (www.olhuala.com) – Ibrahim Siraj, Special Majlis Member for Noonu Atoll, has issued a denial of stories alleging that he has withdrawn his name from a petition signed by 61 Special Majlis Members. The petition stated the position that the MDP’s proposal to change the composition of the Special Majlis before the work of constitutional amendment can go ahead is unconstitutional.
Siraj also revealed that he had been intimidated by six people whom he believed to be members of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). Among those is believed to be Landhoo Ibrahim Hussein, a senior MDP activist who has multiple convictions for narcotics offences and petty crime. Majilis sessions were suspended indefinitely earlier this week by the secretariat due to such threats against members.
Speaking to journalists, Siraj said: “Of course I can take my signature back in principle because I am a representative of the people of Noonu. What I have done is what the people want. If they want me to take back my signature, I would need to be told that by a great number of my constituents, not just six thugs.”
He also accused Minivan Daily of “printing fabricated lies” as Monday’s (6th February) issue of the paper led with the headline “Siraj has withdrawn his signature from the petition”. Other MDP mouthpieces also carried the story.
The petition signed by the sixty-one Members states that the MDP did not have any constitutional or legal grounds in demanding the expulsion of Presidential appointees from both chambers at this juncture.
Speaking to olhuala.com Jaufar Easa Adam, MP for Haa Alif atoll said “It was President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom who proposed the removal of the presidential appointees in the first place [in his 9th June reform agenda] the MDP is trying to steal someone else’s thunder.
“At this stage we are discussing the main areas of importance that should be in a modern and up to date constitution. We, including MDP members, have agreed to rules of procedure that states discussing specific articles comes at a later stage.
“And in any case, we do not think that articles are to be amended and passed on an ad hoc basis. We are bound by the current constitution, and all members have been elected by an electorate in the full knowledge that there are going to be a specified number of President’s members.
“If the constitution did not specify that, the composition would be different. Maybe none of the MDP members would have been elected; who knows?. Therefore the whole Special Majilis’ status would be undermined. It would not be what people voted for. So are we then to have another election for the special Majilis?
“Also please note that over 90% of this country voted for President Gayoom in the knowledge that that the president has these powers under the constitution. They have trusted him with this task.”
The matter is expected to be resolved soon once Special Majilis sessions restart although the MDP will attempt to drag out the issue. Sessions are currently suspended due to threats against DRP members.
Click to read full story
Ismail Rifau, Political Correspondent
Male’, Maldives, 9th February 2006 (www.olhuala.com) – Ibrahim Siraj, Special Majlis Member for Noonu Atoll, has issued a denial of stories alleging that he has withdrawn his name from a petition signed by 61 Special Majlis Members. The petition stated the position that the MDP’s proposal to change the composition of the Special Majlis before the work of constitutional amendment can go ahead is unconstitutional.
Siraj also revealed that he had been intimidated by six people whom he believed to be members of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). Among those is believed to be Landhoo Ibrahim Hussein, a senior MDP activist who has multiple convictions for narcotics offences and petty crime. Majilis sessions were suspended indefinitely earlier this week by the secretariat due to such threats against members.
Speaking to journalists, Siraj said: “Of course I can take my signature back in principle because I am a representative of the people of Noonu. What I have done is what the people want. If they want me to take back my signature, I would need to be told that by a great number of my constituents, not just six thugs.”
He also accused Minivan Daily of “printing fabricated lies” as Monday’s (6th February) issue of the paper led with the headline “Siraj has withdrawn his signature from the petition”. Other MDP mouthpieces also carried the story.
The petition signed by the sixty-one Members states that the MDP did not have any constitutional or legal grounds in demanding the expulsion of Presidential appointees from both chambers at this juncture.
Speaking to olhuala.com Jaufar Easa Adam, MP for Haa Alif atoll said “It was President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom who proposed the removal of the presidential appointees in the first place [in his 9th June reform agenda] the MDP is trying to steal someone else’s thunder.
“At this stage we are discussing the main areas of importance that should be in a modern and up to date constitution. We, including MDP members, have agreed to rules of procedure that states discussing specific articles comes at a later stage.
“And in any case, we do not think that articles are to be amended and passed on an ad hoc basis. We are bound by the current constitution, and all members have been elected by an electorate in the full knowledge that there are going to be a specified number of President’s members.
“If the constitution did not specify that, the composition would be different. Maybe none of the MDP members would have been elected; who knows?. Therefore the whole Special Majilis’ status would be undermined. It would not be what people voted for. So are we then to have another election for the special Majilis?
“Also please note that over 90% of this country voted for President Gayoom in the knowledge that that the president has these powers under the constitution. They have trusted him with this task.”
The matter is expected to be resolved soon once Special Majilis sessions restart although the MDP will attempt to drag out the issue. Sessions are currently suspended due to threats against DRP members.
Click to read full story