PNC parliamentary leader warns MDP will no longer be allowed to submit resolutions

Ruling People's National Congress (PNC) parliamentary group leader Ibrahim Falah has warned that the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) will no longer be given opportunities to submit resolutions to Parliament.

Falah, who represents the Inguraidhoo constituency, made the remarks during Wednesday's parliamentary sitting as MDP members raised concerns over a proposed amendment to Parliament's Standing Orders that would require resolutions to be approved through a preliminary vote before they can be debated.

Parliament's General Committee approved the amendment on Tuesday. Under the proposed changes, a resolution submitted to Parliament would first be put to a vote on whether it should be accepted for consideration.

If a majority of MPs vote against accepting the resolution, it would be rejected without debate.

The amendment was submitted on Saturday by independent Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Abubakur, who has previously proposed amendments sought by the government.

MDP MPs expressed concern during Wednesday's sitting that the proposed changes were intended to restrict the opposition's ability to raise issues and hold debates in Parliament.

The MDP currently has 12 MPs, while the ruling PNC holds a substantial parliamentary majority.

Responding to the opposition's concerns, Falah said 11 of the MDP's 12 MPs were third-tier members of the party and should not have the right to submit resolutions on its behalf.

He claimed that only Thoddoo MP Hussain Sameer should be entitled to submit resolutions for the MDP because of his position behind party chairman Mohamed Nasheed.

Falah also said PNC members had treated opposition MPs with consideration and had given them every available opportunity to participate in parliamentary proceedings.

He accused MDP members of failing to appreciate those opportunities and making statements without restraint.

"They are shouting whatever comes to mind and saying whatever they want here. If we really did not give them opportunities, they would not even be able to stand up here," Falah said.

His remarks came during debate on an MDP resolution calling for the disclosure of agreements relating to the Ras Malé development project.

Falah said that if the MDP wished to submit resolutions, it should instead raise matters such as money held in the bank accounts of former President Abdulla Yameen.

"We will give them the opportunity to submit such a resolution by voting for it here. Otherwise, they will not get any more opportunities in the future," he said.

The proposed amendment to Parliament's Standing Orders has yet to be approved by the full Parliament. If adopted, it would introduce a preliminary vote on whether resolutions should be accepted before allowing parliamentary debate.

The changes would apply to resolutions submitted to Parliament, where the PNC's majority would give the ruling party the votes needed to reject opposition resolutions before they are debated.