MPs must take responsibility for reforming nation, Saleem says
Ghafoor stressed that successive governments had failed to address corruption due to a lack of sincerity and political will.
In a scathing address at today's committee session, Finance Committee Vice-Chairman and Chairman, Saleem, held members of parliament accountable for the lack of meaningful reform in the country. His remarks came in response to comments made by Hanimaadhoo MP, Abdul Gafoor Moosa, regarding the ongoing corruption within government companies. Gafoor had pointed out that corruption remains rampant despite numerous parliamentary orders and committee investigations.
Gafoor stressed that successive governments had failed to address corruption due to a lack of sincerity and political will. He said, "I don't expect this government to do that either. Everyone is here not because they don't know. The theft is well known. Nothing is corrected. Nothing is done. If this government takes action, the case will come out and people will be taken to jail. Only one person was arrested."
Saleem agreed with Gafoor's assessment and expanded on the issue. He described corruption as an "epidemic" spreading throughout the country, fueled by the failure of those in power to take responsibility. "Because there is no courage," Saleem said. "Not in any particular government." According to Saleem, this unwillingness to act is at the heart of the country's political dysfunction.
At the core of his argument was the responsibility placed on MPs by the people. Saleem reminded the committee that citizens have entrusted their elected representatives with the power to reform the country. "Each 5,000 citizens elected a representative to fulfill that responsibility," he said. MPs are not only tasked with passing laws but are also empowered to remove anyone who acts improperly, including the President and judges. "So in reality, all the culprits are members of parliament... The representatives sent by the people to this parliament are the only people who have the power to reform this country. The only people," Saleem emphasized.
For Saleem, the failure to reform lies squarely on the shoulders of parliamentarians. He argued that if MPs do not fulfill their responsibilities, there will be no hope for meaningful change in the country. "If the MPs do not fulfill their responsibilities, there will be no way to reform the country," he warned. "They have to take responsibility. Members of Parliament cannot escape this."
During the committee session, members also discussed the financial losses incurred by the state due to illegal activities within government-run companies. These activities, including overpricing of rentals and projects, were costing the state millions of rupees. Saleem's condemnation of the MPs' inaction suggests that unless there is a fundamental change in the attitude of those in power, these systemic issues will continue unchecked.
