Majlis rejects emergency motion to cap political appointees

The People’s Majlis has rejected the emergency motion submitted to seek halting the dismissal of people in ordinary jobs, while appointed people to high-profile political posts.

MP for Kendhoo constituency representing the former ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Mauroof Zakir submitted the emergency motion seeking to cap political appointments, at Tuesday’s parliament sitting.

Stressing that several members of the public have expressed concern over political appointments reaching an alarming amount exceeding 2,000 now, MP Mauroof stated that the incumbent administration of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu came into power with a promise of limiting the number of political appointees.

Further, MP Maurouf also stressed that the president was misusing the powers vested to him by Article 115 of the Constitution of Maldives in appointing the necessary persons to perform his duties.

The lawmaker added that the Muizzu administration is hiring people for inadequately high salaries to state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

However, Mauroof stated that on the one hand several are being appointed to political posts while others are being dismissed from long-serving positions at SOEs.

The emergency motion was rejected with the influence of lawmakers representing the government.

57 parliamentarians voted against taking up the bill for debate, while only 12 voting in favor of accepting the bill for debate.

Lawmakers representing the ruling party in the 20th parliament assembly have also dismissed MDP’s emergency motions over the delay in payment to fishermen as well as one seeking the swift payment of stipend funds to students abroad, saying it was unnecessary.

In early July, MP for South Galolhu constituency Meekail Naseem had submitted an emergency motion, seeking from the state to publicized the total number of political appointees and the total expenditure incurred by SOEs in remuneration to staff.