MDP orders Hulhudhoo council president to respect majority decisions amid internal dispute

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has instructed Hulhudhoo Council President Jaadhullah Jameel to implement decisions approved by a majority of councillors, following complaints that he has been making and implementing decisions without consulting other council members.

The directive follows an internal dispute within the newly established Hulhudhoo Council, which was formed after Hulhudhoo separated from Addu City's administrative jurisdiction.

The council has five members, four of whom belong to the MDP, including Jaadhullah. The dispute involves Jaadhullah and the other three MDP councillors.

The MDP's Decentralisation Committee is investigating the matter following concerns raised by residents and party members over the council's operations.

The party initially instructed Jaadhullah on 20 September to address the issues identified by the committee within 10 days.

After he failed to comply with the instructions, the party sent him a letter last Saturday issuing a final warning.

A subcommittee established by the MDP's Decentralisation Committee is preparing a fact-finding report on the dispute. The report is expected to be discussed by the committee on Sunday, when a decision will be made on whether to refer the matter to the party's disciplinary committee.

According to a list of instructions obtained by Dhauru, the MDP has directed Jaadhullah to address six issues concerning the council's administration and decision-making procedures.

The party has instructed him to remove the highest administrative powers currently exercised by the council's acting Secretary General and appoint a senior employee from the existing staff to exercise those powers, with the agreement of councillors, until a permanent Secretary General is appointed.

The acting Secretary General, Moosa Siddiq, was an unsuccessful People's National Congress (PNC) candidate for Hulhudhoo Council president.

The MDP has also instructed Jaadhullah to ensure that matters submitted by councillors are included on council meeting agendas in accordance with regulations, even if the council president or Secretary General disagrees.

The party said decisions should be determined by a majority of councillors and implemented transparently, with council members informed of their implementation.

Another instruction requires the council to provide members with access to its Government E-Letter Management System (GEMS), allowing them to review correspondence, documents, decisions, responses and the progress of administrative matters.

The party has also demanded that the council facilitate the work of the Women's Development Committee (WDC), including the disbursement of funds allocated in its budget, and ensure that councillors can monitor the committee's activities.

The MDP further instructed the council to ensure that all transactions involving council funds, assets recorded in its inventory and unregistered property are approved in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, with councillors kept informed.

The sixth instruction requires administrative employees to respect and assist all elected councillors, rather than providing support only to the council president.

The dispute centres partly on the authority exercised by Jaadhullah and Moosa Siddiq in the council's administration.

The three MDP councillors have raised concerns that the council president and acting Secretary General are making decisions and implementing them without consulting other elected members.

They have also objected to Jaadhullah's decision not to include a proposed no-confidence motion against Moosa Siddiq on the council's agenda.

In an interview with Dhauru two months ago, Jaadhullah defended his approach, arguing that certain administrative decisions were minor matters that did not require approval at a council meeting.

He cited decisions concerning unclaimed property found within the council's jurisdiction as an example of matters that could be handled without formal approval.

"If I have to obtain approval at a council meeting even to put some sand on a road, I will not remain here for another day. I came to this island to carry out development work," Jaadhullah said.

He also acknowledged that he had withheld the proposed no-confidence motion against the acting Secretary General because of concerns that it could be passed.

The council has meanwhile advertised the position of permanent Secretary General, with applications reportedly submitted by several candidates.

The MDP's Decentralisation Committee is expected to decide its next course of action after reviewing the findings of its investigation.