Parliament condemns death threats against MP over tobacco bill

Members of Parliament have condemned death threats made on social media against Kinbidhoo MP Ahmed Ashrag, who introduced a government bill proposing amendments to the Tobacco Act.

The threat was made through a Facebook post by an account named Hameed Nashra, which included a photograph of the MP alongside a link to a story published in a Maldivian newspaper about the bill.

Speaking during the parliamentary debate on the Tobacco Act Amendment Bill, Manadhoo MP Husni Mubarak called for an investigation into the threat. Mubarak stated that the issue may have been triggered by what he described as a misleading headline.

"The headline does not reflect the content of the bill and has endangered the member’s safety. Freedom of expression must not compromise personal safety. There is a line that must not be crossed," Mubarak said.

Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Parliamentary Group Leader Ibrahim Nazil also addressed the issue, noting that the sponsoring MP should not bear full responsibility for the content of the bill.

“If there are public concerns, amendments can be made during committee review,” Nazil said. He also condemned threats made against Ashrag on social media.

The bill, approved by the Cabinet, introduces a proposed “generation ban” on tobacco. Key provisions include:

The Cabinet has set November as the start date for implementing the generation ban.

The government has also taken additional measures aimed at reducing tobacco use, including banning the import and use of vapes and increasing taxes on tobacco products.