
MDP to reprimand 14 MPs for whip breach over tax bill
A total of 26 lawmakers voted against it, including 14 from the ruling party.
Ruling MDP's parliamentary group leader Mohamed Aslam has said that the party will take action against 14 lawmakers who voted against the tax increase bill in the parliament 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.
A total of 26 lawmakers voted against it, including 14 from the ruling party.
The party's parliamentary group has issued a three-line whip to pass the bill. All 65 of MDP MPs turned up for the vote. However, 14 members voted against the bill, in violation of the three-line whip:
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Henveiru North MP Ibrahim Muizzu
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Central Henveiru MP Ali Azim
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Henveiru West MP Hassan Latheef
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North Galolhu MP Eva Abdulla
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Machangolhi North MP Mohamed Rasheed
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Maafannu North MP Imthiyaz Fahmy
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Maafannu Central MP Ibrahim Rasheed
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Ungoofaaru MP Ibrahim Waheed
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Thoddhoo MP Hassan Shiyam
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Villufushi MP Hassan Afeef
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Madaveli MP Hussain Firshan
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Hithadhoo North MP
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Gaddhoo MP Ahmed Zahir
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Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb
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Hithadhoo Central MP Ahmed Rasheed
Aslam told Atoll Times that necessary action would be taken against the 14 MPs as per the party's charter.
"We will hold a PG meeting in this regard soon," Aslam said.
The party's parliamentary group's rules specify the steps to be taken in case of violation of the three-line whip.
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First time: giving advice
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Second time: Issuing an apology after giving advice
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Third time: Cutting off party incentives
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Fourth time: Dismissal from party post and barring from contesting party elections for a period of one year
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Fifth time: Expulsion from party