Hithadhoo Central MP Ahmed Azaan Marzooq has alleged that his removal from two key parliament committees was due to his investigation into corruption cases of "powerful individuals."
Azaan was removed from the parliament's Public Accounts Committee and Security Services (241) Committee. The ruling People's National Congress (PNC) has appointed him to the Petition Committee and Privileges and Ethics Committee.
"I was removed from the committee because I have been trying to look into corruption cases involving the interests of some powerful individuals through the Public Accounts Committee. One of the things the committee is doing is studying procurement of government companies," Azaan told Adhadhu.
"We had just started looking into WAMCO [Waste Management Corporation]. Figures show they spent MVR 65 million last year on renting items. When I started looking at these things, pressure came from different directions. Especially from those who benefit from these things."
Azaan said he would work as a lawmaker, even though not a member of key committees, to investigate theft and corruption cases.
Multiple sources confirmed to Adhadhu that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu instructed Azaan's removal from the two most important committees.
The ruling party earlier isolated the MP from the party activities.
The measures against Azaan came after he disagreed with the government's amendment bill to reduce the size of the Supreme Court bench from seven to five members.
He violated the PNC's whip and left the parliament chamber during the vote for the bill.
Muizzu expressed disappointment over Azaan's actions, and the MP was later removed from the PNC MPs' WhatsApp group.
"When the party issues a three-line whip, no one should go against it, ever," Muizzu wrote in a message to the WhatsApp group.
Azaan previously said he remained a pro-government MP despite opposing the removal of the Supreme Court judges.
