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MPs present at Majlis on 23 November 2022 when the session began: Speaker Nasheed expressed concern over the low attendance. Photo/Majlis

Half of MPs absent; Nasheed questions MVR 80,000 pay merit

He said that a basic objective of the parliament is to ensure that members participate in the debate and express their views.

23 November 2022
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By Mohamed Muzayyin Nazim

Speaker Mohamed Nasheed said on Wednesday that it is a matter of great concern that members are not attending sittings after collecting a total salary of more than MVR 80,000 and it is unfortunate that some people who are advocates for the people are acting in such a manner.

Due to poor attendance of the members, Wednesday's parliament session started with a delay of 5 minutes.

  • Only 22 members were present at the beginning of the session

  • At the start of the session, Nasheed, who was in the Chair, criticised the members for tardiness and absence

"This is the number of members who turned up even after the bell had been rung [22 members]. You know, this is an 87-member house. And every honourable member is paid handsomely; along with hefty committee allowances. They take home over MVR 80,000 as salary. The members have been elected as advocates of the people. It is very sad that they do not appear here," he said.

Nasheed expressed concern over the non-attendance of the members even after announcing the items on the agenda.

"The only thing I have to say as Chair is that it is very important for honourable members of this parliament to be present in scheduled parliament sessions," said Nasheed, who is also the president of MDP, which has a super majority in the parliament.

He said that a basic objective of the parliament is to ensure that members participate in the debate and express their views.

According to the rules of procedure of the parliament, the quorum is 25% of the members, which makes 22. Therefore, only the required amount for the quorum was present in the Wednesday's sitting. Most of the parliament sessions now have to be concluded without members to speak on the bills.

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