The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has said that the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) will not get the opportunity to bully despite the small number of MDP MPs in the Parliament.
Parliament Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla called out the names of four MDP MPs for disorderly conduct and ordered them to leave the chamber this morning as the session got heated during the questioning of Housing Minister Dr. Ali Haidar.
The four MPs who were ordered to leave the chamber were Hithadhoo Dhekunu MP and MDP Parliamentary Group Leader Ibrahim Nazil, Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad (Fittey), Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir and Keyodhoo MP Mohamed Niushad.
At a press conference, MDP Parliamentary Group's Deputy Leader MP Ziyad described the events in Parliament this morning as bullying.
"Just because I'm small, let's bully, that is exactly how things were done today. The minister sees us a tiny person because there is a big army behind him. Even if we are small, they cannot bully us," he stated.
Minority leader Nazil added that the Speaker should not have called out the MPs' names today.
"It is very clear that the rights of the people will not be guaranteed with the super majority of the PNC members and the power of the parliament because of the way the Speaker acted today," he said.
The minister was summoned to the Parliament because Galolhu Uthuru MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu) wanted to question him. He described the delay in allocating flats as dictatorial.
"Don't you see the plight of people? This kind of sensitive issue is being pulled like a rubber. I don't understand why they are doing this. That's something I need an answer for," he said.
The session got heated when Minister Haidar did not give a clear response to a question from Vaikaradhoo MP Ziyad. He questioned whether the ministry discussed with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to change the policy after promising not to take back the lands and flats awarded by the former government.
In response, Haidar said flats and lands would be taken back after ensuring whether it was awarded rightfully.
"We will not make any changes unless we are sure that the flat or land has been given to the rightful owner," he stated.
MP Ziyad raised a point of order and complained that the minister had not responded to his question. But Speaker Abdul Raheem did not allow the point of order.
