Protesters stress gov’t’s failure to heed people’s concerns, even near People’s Majlis
Although the protesters gathered near the parliament, they were pushed back
Protesters demanding for the handover of their land and flats
The people have stressed the government’s failure to pay heed to the citizens’ voice, even near the People’s Majlis.
Members of the public took to the streets near the People’s Majlis on Monday morning, over the issue of the government failing to handover plots of land and flats allocated to them under the housing scheme of the former administration.
Although the protesters gathered near the parliament, they were pushed back more than 100 feet.
Several parliamentarians representing the main-opposition Maldivian Democratic Parth (MDP) as well as the party’s members were at the forefront of Monday’s protest.
The protesters stressed that people's rights have been violated and that this issue has been dragged for many days.
They said they wished to protest near the parliament building to voice the people's concerns to the parliament members who are the representatives of the people.
Highlighting that their peaceful protest was not aimed at overthrowing the government, the protesters stressed that they wanted to ensure the rights they have been guaranteed.
However, they expressed concern about being pushed away from the parliament building.
Former MP for Makunudhoo constituency, Mohamed Raee, who participated in the protest, said that during former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration, they had protested at the entrance of the parliament building and some protesters had even climbed the walls of the building to raise their voices.
The former lawmaker went on to stress that the incumbent administration is unwilling to listen to the concerns of the people and has went as far as to push the protesters back, a move they refuse to accept.
Highlighting that the issue surrounding the plots of land and flats given by the former government is a massive issue, the ex-MP said that this is a pressing issue for the entire country, and a swift solution is essential.
He also said that they aim to convey the housing concerns of the people of the congested capital Malé City with the parliamentarians representing Malé City, but that the incumbent administration is attempting to hinder this effort.
Calling to guarantee and protect the citizens’ rights, former state minister Ahmed Saleem also asserted that the incumbent administration is acting unlawfully.
Shedding light on the seriousness of the issue, he said that the administration is illegally attempting to strip people of their housing.
Shedding light on the suspicion that the incumbent administration has decided to give 20 flats to each member of the People's Majlis, Saleem said that people from some islands have been coming to inspect the flats, and the government needs to reveal the truth regarding this matter.
He also said that since the People's Majlis is one of the three powers of the state, this issue needs to be investigated and people's rights need to be ensured, and that there should be no opportunity to compromise the flat recipients list.
Delivering a crucial message from the people to the government during Monday’s protest, Mohamed Ihusan, chair of MDP's Education Committee, noted that the island nation's future cannot be bright if it fosters unease in the hearts of its people.
He also said that the plots of land and flats given during the former administration should be given as they were allocated, with no changes.
Further, the protesters also asserted that they would continue series of protests until an amicable solution is reached.
The Maldives Police Service (MPS) has not disclosed an adequate explanation for pushing back the protesters.
Determined protesters asserted that the People's Majlis is a forum for the public, declaring to raise their voices until parliament members listen and ensure their rights.
