Video: Maldives Parliament in Chaos Over Cabinet Approval Dispute
Clashes Erupt Between Ruling Coalition and Opposition Members During Critical Session in Maldives Parliament
The Maldives parliament descended into chaos as tensions flared between the ruling alliance and opposition lawmakers during a crucial session to vote on President Mohamed Muizzu's cabinet appointments.
In a special session convened for the parliamentary approval of President Mohamed Muizzu's cabinet ministers, scheduled proceedings were marred by disruptive clashes between the ruling alliance and opposition members.
ކެނދިކުޅުދޫ ދާއިރާގެ މެމްބަރު އީސާގެ ފައިގައި ހިފައި ކަނޑިތީމު މެމްބަރު ޝަހީމް ވައްޓާލާ މަންޒަރު. އެމްޑީޕީ ދޫކޮށް ޕީއެންސީއާ ގުޅުނު ސަރުކާރުގެ މެމްބަރުން މަޖިލީހަށް ހުރަސް އެޅުމާއެކު ތަޅުމުގައި ހަމަނުޖެހުން އަންނަނީ ހިނގަމުން. pic.twitter.com/mnmzvYKsrO — Adhadhu (@AdhadhuMV) January 28, 2024
According to reports from Sun Online, members of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) and Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) protested vehemently after the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), led by former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, chose to withhold approval for four cabinet members nominated by President Muizzu.
One particularly contentious moment captured on video, shared by news outlet Adhadhu, depicted a physical altercation between MDP MP Isa and PNC MP Abdullah Shaheem Abdul Hakeem. The footage showed Shaheem gripping Isa's leg, leading to a fall, with Isa responding by delivering kicks to Shaheem's neck and pulling his hair, resulting in injuries and Shaheem requiring medical attention.
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Parliament proceedings have been disrupted after clashes between PPM/PNC MPs and opposition MPs. pic.twitter.com/vhvfCBgQ1s — Adhadhu (@AdhadhuMV) January 28, 2024
The reasons behind the protests stem from concerns that the rejection of President Muizzu's cabinet ministers could impede progress, with calls for the resignation of the speaker of parliament. The ruling coalition parties, PNC and PPP, issued a statement characterizing the rejection of ministers as a hindrance to public service delivery.
Chief advisor to President Muizzu and PNC chairperson Abdul Raheem Abdullah defended the reappointment of the ministers, even without authorization, labeling the refusal to approve them as irresponsible. It was noted that the parliament's government oversight committee had previously approved the cabinet in December, confirming that all members met constitutional requirements, as reported by Sun Online.
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