Health Minister Geela Ali has come under fire for refusing to answer a question by Hithadhoo North MP Abdulla Sodiq (Sobe) in the People’s Majlis, claiming she could not understand his Addu dialect.
Sobe questioned about the shortage of medications and injections for mental health patients at Addu Equatorial Hospital (AEH). He sought clarification on the ministry’s efforts to ensure the availability of essential supplies and requested a timeline for the commencement of work on the hospital’s new building.
Responding to the questions during yesterday's parliament sitting, Geela claimed she did not understand the inquiry as it was delivered in the Addu dialect. However, she briefly addressed one point, stating that work on the AEH expansion is expected to begin in August.
Her remarks have drawn criticism from Addu residents and political figures alike. Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) President Abdulla Shahid asserted that state officials must remain accountable regardless of the dialect used.
Former Speaker of the 20th Parliament and former Hithadhoo North MP Mohamed Aslam also expressed concern, emphasizing that the Addu dialect is an integral part of the Dhivehi language.
"It is disappointing when Presidents, Ministers, and high-ranking officials fail to comprehend the various dialects of the Dhivehi language. Instead of saying 'I am not from that island' or 'I don't know what you're saying,' it is the Minister’s responsibility to seek clarification and provide an answer," Aslam wrote.
While MPs occasionally use regional dialects in the People’s Majlis, Sobe—who won the Hithadhoo North by-election on June 6—has spoken in the Addu dialect in his floor speeches since being sworn in.
