The government has used its influence in parliament to mask corruption and incompetence by introducing laws and changing existing ones, said prominent lawyer Hisaan Hussein.

Hisaan said this at RaajjeTV’s ‘Fala-Surukhee’ program, adding that new laws, such as the criminalization of defamation, were clearly introduced to silence those who spoke about the government’s corruption – namely the hefty graft case involving the state operated Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation.

She further said that these tactics are of growing concern to sitting parliamentarians, including those aligned with the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives’ faction loyal to incumbent President Abdulla Yameen.

Hisaan also commented on the nature of heavily expedited bills – an example being the heavily criticized amendments to the Local Government Act, which were passed the after they were proposed – saying that this caused parliamentarians to be unable to adequately discuss and review them.

“MPs say it all the time, even those aligned with the ruling faction, that they do not have adequate time to go through and discuss new bills” Hisaan said.

Hisaan proceeded to say that some of the new laws are blatantly unconstitutional; naming amendments to the Judicature Act which led to the termination of two judges at the Supreme Court, amendments to the Auditor General Act which led to the termination of the then sitting auditor general.