The ruling People's National Congress (PNC) MPs have called for the arrest of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail over his remarks at a press briefing on Monday.
During the debate for an emergency motion submitted by Milandhoo MP Hassan Mufeed, ruling party lawmakers called for Fayyaz's arrest and accused him of encouraging violence and disorder.
According to the emergency motion, MDP podiums were being used to encourage what was done to former President Mohamed Ameen to be done to current President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
The motion urged a police investigation into the remarks made by an MDP supporter during a rally in Haa Dhaal Kulhudhuffushi island and by Fayyaz during Monday's press briefing in Male'.
Speaking on the Parliament floor, Maafannu South MP Abdulla Rifiau said people should be saluting President Muizzu instead of calling for his assassination.
"Mr. Speaker, I call on the relevant ministries to immediately arrest those who call for these things and investigate them. If such things are ignored, the consequences could be very bitter tomorrow," he said.
Feydhoo South MP Ibrahim Didi accused the MDP of encouraging violence whenever the party is in opposition. He recalled the clashes after MDP's first government was overthrown in 2012.
"I call on them [authorities] to take these cases seriously today and hold them accountable. The authorities should investigate and give these people the right punishment. Because this is a crime," he said.
Maafannu West MP Mohamed Mustafa Ibrahim said Fayyaz's actions were against Islam and the laws of Maldives. He described it as a crime of terrorism.
Hithadhoo Central MP Ahmed Azaan called to summon MDP leaders to the Parliamentary Committees and urged investigating agencies to take prompt action.
At Monday's press conference, Fayyaz said he believed the comments by a party supporter during a rally in Kulhudhuffushi were intended as advice.
"When you mistreat the people, you will face the same fate as Mohamed Ameen, what other reaction can we expect? That is the reality we see in our history. I believe he said that on the podium in Kulhudhuffushi as advice to the incumbent President Dr. Muizzu. He said, 'Don't let this happen'," Fayyaz said.
Fayyaz did not go into details of what happened to former President Ameen but said that leaders who oppressed the people faced dire consequences in the history of Maldives.
The calls for his arrest come as the opposition prepares to stage a massive rally at the Carnival area in Male' on Tuesday night.
MDP has invited all political parties, civil society groups and unions to join the rally "Citizens in Defense of the Constitution."
