Cabinet approval delayed over govt involvement, Fayyaz says
“I know that the government spoke to our various members and offered things to our members,” Fayyaz said.
The approval of the 22 members of President Muizzu's cabinet was delayed because government officials tried to 'shape' it in a certain way, Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) Chairman Fayyaz Ismail has said.
Speaking on a Sangu TV programme, Fayyaz said he was concerned that the ministers had not been approved for so long.
Fayyaz said, the case was so delayed because "the government made a blunder".
“The result of some people in the government trying to get to our members and shape [the approval process] in a certain way has caused the delay,” Fayyaz alleged.
He said the MDP leadership's intention was to approve all the ministers.
“[That being so], I know that the government spoke to our various members and offered things to our members,” Fayyaz said.
In addition, Fayyaz said there are other reasons why the approval of ministers is being delayed. He noted that the parliament is currently on vacation.
MDP Deputy Chairman Ibrahim Waheed had earlier accused senior leaders of the ruling coalition PPM-PNC of asking not to approve some ministers. They include:
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Some MDP MPs have said that the spirit of the MDP parliamentary group is not to approve some ministers
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The report of the Government Accountability Committee, which examined the issue of approval of ministers, was sent back to the parliament by the Chairperson as incomplete; the report was sent back because it did not decide whether or not to approve the ministers
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Despite the parliament being on vacation, the Government Accountability Committee met last week and decided to amend the report and send it to the Parliament for approval of all ministers. That was decided without the vote of the MDP members
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The MDP has started collecting signatures for an extraordinary session; however, the date of the session is unknown
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Parliament will next open for the new year early next month
