Parliament rejects no-confidence motion against Ameen
The vote resulted in 54 members voting against the motion and 11 in favour.
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Parliament on Thursday voted against a no-confidence motion submitted by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) against Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen.
The motion alleged the minister had influenced the police investigation into the fall of Hawwa Yumna Rasheed from the ninth floor of a building onto the rooftop of an adjacent warehouse.
The vote resulted in 54 members voting against the motion and 11 in favour. The ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), which holds a parliamentary supermajority, opposed the motion.
Minister Ameen responded to the motion during the parliamentary session held on Thursday afternoon. He addressed questions raised by members and delivered his final remarks before the vote.
The incident under investigation occurred at H. Fentenoiy. Prior to that, Yumna had visited MA. Maandhooge Dhekunuge, a property where Minister Ameen and his family reside, at midnight. Police have taken several steps in the investigation, including:
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Seizing the passports of nine individuals, including two who identify themselves as Ameen's relatives.
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Not obtaining any CCTV footage from the residence.
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Not receiving a urine sample from Raud Ahmed Zilal for drug testing.
Concerns have been raised over potential interference with the police investigation.
In his response to Parliament, Ameen stated that individuals residing in a household should not be held collectively responsible for all incidents that occur there. He emphasised that any crimes committed by a specific person should be addressed individually.
Ameen also clarified that ownership of the residence is shared among three siblings, and that the building contains both private and common areas. He stated that shared ownership in multi-residence buildings does not justify assigning responsibility for alleged offences to one individual based on property ownership or public office.
He further said that if unlawful acts were committed at the residence, they should be investigated and addressed in accordance with the law. However, he noted that no state agency has officially concluded that any such activity took place at the property.
When questioned regarding his relationship with Izdhiyan Mohamed, 28, and Yusuf Ahmed Akram, 22—both residents of MA. Maandhooge Dhekunuge —and the absence of CCTV footage, Ameen did not provide direct responses.
