Parliament Committee on Security Services (241 Committee) has approved expediting work on the bill to ban Israeli passports after increasing pressure from the public.
Last week, the committee decided to seek written responses from relevant authorities until December and then summon officials based on the responses from the authorities.
However, the decision was changed today.
The 241 Committee unanimously approved the summoning of officials from relevant authorities starting from tomorrow. The motion was moved by Hulhudhoo MP Mohamed Shahid.
Committee Chairperson Eydhafushi MP Ahmed Saleem said the decision was necessary.
The bill, which was introduced in June by Galolhu Dhekunu MP Meekail Naseem to amend the Immigration Act to prevent people with Israeli passports from entering the Maldives, was accepted by the Parliament on June 10 and referred to the committee. But it took more than five months for the committee to begin work.
The opposition and the public have been criticizing the government and the government's supermajority in Parliament for the delay in the bill.
Despite having a supermajority in Parliament, the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) issued a statement on October 16 calling to expedite work on the bill. MP Meekail described the statement as an attempt by the PNC to mock the public.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's government announced on June 2 that Israeli passport holders will be banned from entering the Maldives.
Last month, Attorney General (AG) Ahmed Usham said the bill proposed by the opposition needs some amendments.
"Some amendments need to be brought to the current bill. The Parliament should proceed by amending the bill in accordance with the decisions taken by the Cabinet," Usham said.
