Law must limit political appointees, MP Shujau says

The number of people appointed to political posts should also be withheld by law, the ruling main party, People’s National Congress (PNC) Vice President Ibrahim Shujau, said on Sunday.

Shujau, who is also the MP for Baarah constituency, made the remarks while replying to questions raised by PNC during a meeting convened by the Parliament's Committee on Independent Institutions on Sunday to seek the views of political parties on a resolution moved by him to curb the increase in the number of lawmakers.

The meeting was also attended by the opposition MDP. Both parties spoke in favour of amending the Constitution to maintain the number of members. However, both parties agree that it should be done in a manner that does not diminish the representation of the people.

MDP MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem, who sits on the committee, asked whether it was only the growing number of MPs that was causing the financial burden.

Replying to the question, Shujau said the three powers of state should work together to reduce the financial burden of the state. He also said that he supports the law to restrict the number of political positions along with the number of MPs.

“I believe that the cap on the [number of members of] parliament and the cap on those in political positions should also be brought about by legislation,” he said.

In addition, he said:

When Shujau on behalf of the PNC asked for support for the retention of political positions, Meekail welcomed it. Meekail also added that he hoped to get the cooperation of the PNC when he proposed such amendments in the future.

Before Shujau could, Meekail’s question was answered by the MDP. MDP spokesperson Anas Abdul Sattar said there are measures that can be taken at the government level to reduce the financial burden of the state. Without taking these measures, the number of councillors and MPs should not be reduced, he said.

"For example, the equalisation of political positions with the number of elected councillors is also an issue. That has to be looked at. Steps should be taken from all sides to relieve the financial burden [or] improve the economic situation," Anas said.

Anas said the government has the opportunity to appoint people to political positions 'without any measure' to implement policy and achieve other objectives.

"Reducing the financial burden should start from all directions. It should not start where the people elect members," he said.

MDP Legal Director and lawyer Mahfooz Saeed, who attended the meeting, said the amendment was not the best way to reduce the number of members. He noted that it should be done as a change in the future as the number of members increases or the cost will increase in the next 50 years.

“We are not talking about limiting the numbers in any way because the current cost is high. 50 years down the line, the cost will be high. It is not for today or tomorrow that we amend the Constitution and fix the number therein. That's something we do for later and ever,' Mahfuz said.

In addition, he said:

“They question the expenditure because the members are not delivering as was expected of them. That is the complaint of the people,” he said.

The committee members also sought suggestions on the issue of nominating a member for every 10,000 population instead of the existing one for every 5,000 population. Mahfooz said:

“Then what should be given care in determining that number is the loss of representation [or] reducing the number of parliament to the point where they cannot represent the people; to the extent that they cannot be represented or to the extent that the parliament falls into the hands of certain people,” he said.

None of the parties came up with a formula for determining the exact number of members during the two-hour meeting. Both the MDP and PNC requested that they come back with better ideas after discussions at the party level.