Speaker cuts off MP Mikaail for calling Majlis a 'bot' and 'mercenary' chamber

The Speaker of the People's Majlis, Abdul Raheem Abdullah, cut off MP Mikaail Ahmed Naseem on Monday as the Galolhu Dhekunu lawmaker criticised the current parliament during a debate on MPs' allowances and privileges. Speaking in the chamber, Mikaail described the 20th People's Majlis as a "parliament of mercenary members" and a "parliament of bots", saying that matters concerning MPs' benefits and protections had become a subject of public discussion only when members themselves surrendered their dignity. He also said that the parliament was not a senate of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PNC) and that the parliament's standing orders were not the party's basic rules. The Speaker intervened and told Mikaail that he had gone too far, and that describing members as "bots" or "mercenaries" was not allowed within the boundaries of the chamber. When the MP was again given the floor, he argued that the Speaker had no authority to prevent him from characterising members, and said he would not hesitate to bring further amendments to the standing orders. Mikaail also questioned the practice of restricting debate on resolutions, saying that the current amendments tabled to limit discussion were an example of how members were losing their own privileges. He insisted that the People's Majlis is not the senate of the ruling party and that its rules should not serve the PNC's interests.