Changes have been brought to the Committee on National Security Services or the 241 Committee.

During the parliament sitting conducted on Monday, Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla announced that Hulhudhoo Constituency MP Ilyas Labeeb and Central-Henveiru Constituency MP Ali Azim are to be reinstated to the 241 committee to replace North-Maafannu Constituency MP Imthiyaz Fahmy and Thulhaadhoo Constituency MP Hisaan Hussain.

Ali Azim had resigned as a member of the 241 committee due to the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) corruption case while Ilyas Labeeb resigned due to the inquiry report conducted by the committee in relation to the May 6th terrorist attack aimed at Speaker and President Mohamed Nasheed. Azim resigned after his name was included on a list of top-level leaders suspect in the MMPRC grand corruption case while Ilyas resigned as he had received intel on the assassination attempt on the speaker which was shared with Defence Minister Mariya Didi.

The 241 committee is based on researching matters in regards to national security and presenting changes that need to be brought to the security system of the country to the Parliament. Furthermore, they are also required to work in collaboration with, Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), Maldives Police Service (MPS), Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Home Affairs and the National Disasters Management Authority (NDMA).

Further, the committee is required to review bills drafted by the agencies mentioned and present a report to the parliament, bring necessary changes after evaluating yearly reports, investigate the matters called to attention by the offices and provide solutions.

Additionally, the committee must ensure that these offices perform their duties and are required to bring to the Parliament’s attention any concerns presented by the citizens and the state’s offices as well. With that, the committee is to take necessary actions towards matters concerning national security.