Opposition to probe MP Hussain's whip breach over tax bill

An investigation will be launched into Faresmathoda MP Hussain Mohamed Latheef's decision to vote in favour of the tax hike bill, opposition coalition said on Wednesday.

The government's proposal to amend the Goods and Services Tax Act to increase GST to 8% and T-GST to 16% from next year was passed in Wednesday's sitting with the vote of 55 members.

Hussain, who had spoken out against the bill during the debate, voted in favour of the bill.

All opposition MPs except Hussain voted against the bill. The party's parliamentary group leader, Eydhafushi MP Ahmed Saleem did not attend the sitting.

Replying to a reporter's question at a press conference held by the opposition after the vote, PNC MP from Maduvvari constituency Adam Shareef said the Progressive Congress coalition had issued a three-line whip to vote against the bill. He did not specify the reason for Hussain's violation of the whip.

"Many MDP MPs voted against their three-line whip. That's probably the way it happens in a democracy. However, in the wake of it [Hussain breaching the three-line whip], our party will also do what is required to be done as per the procedure," Shareef told reporters at the press conference, which was not attended by Hussain.

"We can assure you that the party will take the necessary actions to keep the spirit of the party alive."

Hussain and Saleem did not respond to phone calls. 

In addition to the opposition coalition MPs, among the 26 members who voted against the bill were: