MPs say police jobs abused in run-up to pres polls

Some MPs on Wednesday criticised the government's proposed amendments to the Police Services Act. In particular, lawmakers supporting Speaker Mohamed Nasheed, one of the two factions divided within MDP, said the amendments proposed in the bill were aimed at creating jobs in the police office ahead of the presidential election.

The bill introduced by MDP Parliamentary Group leader From Hithadhoo North constituency Mohamed Aslam says:

There were more complaints among the members who debated the bill in Wednesdays parliament sitting over the amendment related to background checks.

"When someone who is a complete stranger enters the police office, and is asked two or three questions in an interveiew and then given a police job is not the way the bill was introduced," said Hassan Latheef, MP from Henveiru West constituency.

Hassan described the amendment, which gives police the right to carry out background checks while giving jobs, as the government's attempt to change the police institution into Fenaka, which claims to be giving a large number of jobs ahead of elections.

"We're not talking about hiring employees into Fenaka after an interview. We are talking about inducting personnel into the country's police services," he said.

During the recent elections, there were complaints that Fenaka and other state-run companies had announced to create a large number of jobs to hire people. At that time, the government faced criticism from the public as well as some MDP members.

Hassan said that background checking does not require the state to bear much burden and that good and trustworthy people should be admitted into the police institution.

He believes that while the bill fails to serve the purpose of framing the 'Police Services Act', the government is trying to take advantage of it.

North Galolhu MP Eva Abdulla's opinion on the amendment related to the background check is similar to that of Hassan Latheef. She, too, believes that the amendment was in bad intention by the government to give more jobs in the police force ahead of elections.

"It won't be good, honourable President, to make the police office a place of employment in connection with the presidential election. Like my brother, Henveiru West MP Hassan Latheef said, this is not an institution that is designed to provide jobs, this is not Fenaka we are talking about," Eva said.

She said that there are already organised crimes in the police force. Eva said this is evident from the way different cases are tried in the country.

"... we arrest young people who use drugs one after the  other, and sentence them to prison, one after the other as well. These people are convicted. However, we can't seem to be able to catch anyone who is involved in large-scale drug trade," she said.

"When this kind of crime is committed, when there are such gaps, honourable President, we are saying that there is no need for a background check on the person who enters the police station."

She said things have not improved to the point where the Maldives police can be trusted and she does not believe that the people have faith in the government either.

MP Mohamed Rasheed also alleged that the amendment was proposed to create jobs in the police office ahead of the elections. He says this with confidence at a time when the government has moved the amendment.

The upcoming contested presidential elections are scheduled to be held on September 9.

"At this point, I am convinced that this is an amendment that is being taken at this time in order to win an election," said Mohamed Rasheed.

"There are a lot of MPs here who are saying that we are doing this in the run-up to this election by inducting more staff, as many people as they want. Should this amendment be introduced today? Did we just realize that it is not happening when this term is nearing its end, eh? Its very suprising."

He also described the amendment as an attempt to convert the police office into Fenaka.

"Isn't this the same thing as hiring a bunch of people into Fenaka, honourable president? Now I'm stepping up for the second time and its been written clearly... Give us the right to take on anyone we want if we need help," he said.

Mohamed Rasheed said the amendment was proposed to increase the chances of "crimes" committed in the institution.