Some MPs from the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) have denied the existence of gangs in the country and called to change the name of the Gang Crimes Prohibition Bill.
Maafannu South MP Abdulla Rifau expressed concern because of the use of the word "gang" in the bill and said he does not believe criminal gangs were operating in the Maldives.
"With that, I also note that this bill does not even mention gangs. So naming the bill 'gang' while the rest of the bill talks about organized crimes is concerning," he stated.
Maafannu West MP Mohamed Musthafa Ibrahim said he does not believe there were gangs in the Maldives similar to some other parts of the world.
"In Male', Maafannu is the constituency which has one of the highest crime records with one of the highest numbers of young people committing crimes. However, as my brother, Maafannu South MP mentioned, I don't really believe that gangs operate in this country as they do in other countries. That does not happen in this Maldives," he said.
Despite these remarks from ruling party MPs, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusaan said the purpose of this bill is to prevent gang crimes.
In a post on X in November, Muizzu said the biggest challenge in the fight against drugs is the loopholes in the law.
"The government will introduce the new Gang Crimes Prohibition Bill in parliament within the next two weeks," he wrote.
Meanwhile, Minister Ihusaan said preventing gang crimes is among the top three targets of the police.
