Three lawmakers representing the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) have met with a group of taxi drivers at the People’s Majlis on Thursday.
Although such matters are usually handled through committee arrangements in the parliament, it remains unclear how the meeting was organized. According to a reliable source, MP for Hulhudhoo constituency Mohamed Shahid individually contacted the taxi drivers for the meeting.
The drivers who were brought to the People’s Majlis for Thursday's meeting met with PNC's Parliamentary Group Leader and Inguraidhoo constituency MP Ibrahim Falah, MP for Vilimalé constituency Mohamed Ismail, and MP Shahid.
Although taxi drivers' concerns were previously discussed in detail at an official committee meeting, the lawmakers reportedly asked about the drivers' concerns once again at Thursday's meeting.
Among the issues raised by taxi drivers at the meeting include:
- Government publicly announcing that they will not introduce a taxi fleet;
- Reverting van drivers' fares to previous rates;
- Expediting the registration process for cars brought through SME loans;
- Making airport and Malé traffic flow easier for taxi drivers and creating an environment where trips can be easily taken;
- Facilitating a meeting with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu as soon as possible;
- Reopening the taxi drivers' registry; and
- Creating temporary and permanent parking options in Malé.
When taxi drivers presented these issues, the lawmakers reportedly responded, saying that these were very minor issues. They also said they would arrange a meeting with the president as soon as possible.
The lawmakers assured that they would arrange for the drivers to meet with Muizzu before December 10. They are also to have assured the group of taxi drivers that there was nothing there that couldn’t be resolved.
When admitting the drivers to the meeting, their phones were confiscated, and they were asked if they had any devices that could record.
During the meeting with the taxi drivers, PG Leader Falah reportedly asserted that those planning to take to the streets on December 10, in defense of the Constitution, are doing so without any basis, stating that "in any case, we restricted our own right."
Falah was likely referring to the constitutional amendment that causes MPs to lose their seats if they change parties, implying that it wouldn't harm the public but only restrict the rights of the parliamentarians themselves.
The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), one of the largest political parties in the Maldives, is preparing to hold a major rally on December 10 against the sudden major changes to the Constitution.
