MDP MP Shamseeth likens Majlis members to schoolchildren, criticises curbs on debate

Dr. Ahmed Shamseeth, Member of Parliament for the South Male’ Atoll constituency, has sharply criticised the functioning of the People’s Majlis, saying that Members of Parliament today appear like schoolchildren, with sessions having to be suspended at 11 o'clock each day so they can go to class. Speaking at a press conference held by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Parliamentary Group on Wednesday, Member Shamseeth said that curbing the opportunity to debate resolutions with time remaining in the Majlis is not something any ruler, minister, or Member of Parliament who supports any democracy would support. He further stated that the answers given by Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed during accountability questions regarding the no-confidence motion submitted by the MDP Parliamentary Group reveal that there is no policy for anything in this government, including no economic policy. He noted that while prices of goods have increased, Minister Saeed claimed prices have gone down, despite government statistics indicating that food prices have risen by more than 8 percent this year. Member Shamseeth also criticised the fact that work is not progressing in the People’s Majlis, saying that the only thing being done today is silencing the voices of the people in various ways through the Majlis.