nasheedslamsmdp
Minister Nasheed discredits MDP propaganda
Ismail Rifau, Political Correspondent
Male', Maldives 22nd February 2006 (www.olhuala.com) – Information Minister Mohamed Nasheed has dismissed claims by the MDP that President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom is hindering the progress of his own reform agenda. Nasheed’s words come in response to an all-out campaign launched by the MDP using cartoons, placards, banners, internet and other media aimed at laying the blame for the current hiatus of the Special Majilis on President Gayoom.
Nasheed was speaking last night with journalists to ‘clear up the misinformation spread by some groups.’ With the official opening of Parliament by the President set for tomorrow, the MDP have used all means at their disposal to oust the constitutionally appointed members from Parliament and the Special Majilis.
The MDP have announced plans to disrupt tomorrow’s function but were dealt a blow yesterday when the Adhaalaath Party withdrew their support.
Responding to claims that the 61-signature petition which calls for the withdrawal from the agenda of the item calling for the expulsion of appointed members, Nasheed said: “At the moment, the Assembly is debating the characteristics and features the new constitution should have. A petition signed by a number of members advising the Majilis President to amend the agenda cannot be taken as hindering the work of the Majilis.”
He also refered to the fact that Gayoom was the first to recommend that the Majilis does not include non-elected members. “This is not the MDP’s idea. It is President Gayoom’s idea. The DRP believes that the matter cannot be dealt with while the Majilis is debating the characteristics and features of the new constitution.”
“Making changes to the composition of the Majilis at this stage will change the ‘module’ or the ‘design’ of the Special Majilis convened by President Gayoom.” He indicated that any change in composition would therefore diminish the integrity of the present group, leading to justifiable calls for a new Special Majilis to be convened.
The issue is still deadlocked in the 11-member Administrative Committee of the Special Majilis: with a minimum six votes required for any side to carry, the most recent meeting was unable to deliver a conclusive vote. A Special Majilis DRP member stated: “The Committee must debate and deliver a decision. Things like this take time but you cannot expect others to give up their principles just to save time.”
“When the MDP don’t like how things are going in the Special Majilis, they walk out. When it is the DRP, the MDP thinks it is a crime to even sit and debate. We are supposed to give up without argument.”
Tomorrow’s opening of the Majilis is set to be disrupted by ‘the traditional MDP mob on the doorstep’ and a new tactic by MDP Members of Parliament who will attempt to shout down the President during the delivery of his speech outlining Government policy. Sources within the MDP confirm that different MPs will take turns shouting “Liar” and “Eject the appointed Members” while the President is speaking.
DRP MPs however do not think any member will have the courage to do so during a televised event. The MDP’s plans have been further undermined by the Adhaalaath Party’s decision not to support any disruption of a state function. The MDP had been courting Adhaalaath for several days on the issue but Adhaalaath decided such an action could lead to loss of public support.
Security is expected to be high tomorrow in the wake of recent MDP-engineered disturbances and threats faced by MPs. The Special Presidential Guard are expected to be operational in addition to the Maldives Police Services.
Click to read full story
Ismail Rifau, Political Correspondent
Male', Maldives 22nd February 2006 (www.olhuala.com) – Information Minister Mohamed Nasheed has dismissed claims by the MDP that President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom is hindering the progress of his own reform agenda. Nasheed’s words come in response to an all-out campaign launched by the MDP using cartoons, placards, banners, internet and other media aimed at laying the blame for the current hiatus of the Special Majilis on President Gayoom.
Nasheed was speaking last night with journalists to ‘clear up the misinformation spread by some groups.’ With the official opening of Parliament by the President set for tomorrow, the MDP have used all means at their disposal to oust the constitutionally appointed members from Parliament and the Special Majilis.
The MDP have announced plans to disrupt tomorrow’s function but were dealt a blow yesterday when the Adhaalaath Party withdrew their support.
Responding to claims that the 61-signature petition which calls for the withdrawal from the agenda of the item calling for the expulsion of appointed members, Nasheed said: “At the moment, the Assembly is debating the characteristics and features the new constitution should have. A petition signed by a number of members advising the Majilis President to amend the agenda cannot be taken as hindering the work of the Majilis.”
He also refered to the fact that Gayoom was the first to recommend that the Majilis does not include non-elected members. “This is not the MDP’s idea. It is President Gayoom’s idea. The DRP believes that the matter cannot be dealt with while the Majilis is debating the characteristics and features of the new constitution.”
“Making changes to the composition of the Majilis at this stage will change the ‘module’ or the ‘design’ of the Special Majilis convened by President Gayoom.” He indicated that any change in composition would therefore diminish the integrity of the present group, leading to justifiable calls for a new Special Majilis to be convened.
The issue is still deadlocked in the 11-member Administrative Committee of the Special Majilis: with a minimum six votes required for any side to carry, the most recent meeting was unable to deliver a conclusive vote. A Special Majilis DRP member stated: “The Committee must debate and deliver a decision. Things like this take time but you cannot expect others to give up their principles just to save time.”
“When the MDP don’t like how things are going in the Special Majilis, they walk out. When it is the DRP, the MDP thinks it is a crime to even sit and debate. We are supposed to give up without argument.”
Tomorrow’s opening of the Majilis is set to be disrupted by ‘the traditional MDP mob on the doorstep’ and a new tactic by MDP Members of Parliament who will attempt to shout down the President during the delivery of his speech outlining Government policy. Sources within the MDP confirm that different MPs will take turns shouting “Liar” and “Eject the appointed Members” while the President is speaking.
DRP MPs however do not think any member will have the courage to do so during a televised event. The MDP’s plans have been further undermined by the Adhaalaath Party’s decision not to support any disruption of a state function. The MDP had been courting Adhaalaath for several days on the issue but Adhaalaath decided such an action could lead to loss of public support.
Security is expected to be high tomorrow in the wake of recent MDP-engineered disturbances and threats faced by MPs. The Special Presidential Guard are expected to be operational in addition to the Maldives Police Services.
Click to read full story