PNC lawmakers are held captive: Musthafa

Prominent lawyer Musthafa Hameed has stated that Members of Parliament from the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) are currently "shackled" and effectively deprived of their right to speak freely.

Speaking on RaajjeTV’s "Noonekey" campaign program, Musthafa stated that the government's first priority upon taking office was to amend the law to allow for the removal of Members of Parliament at the party's discretion, effectively placing pro-government lawmakers under its control.

Upon assuming power, their first act was to amend the law so that members of parliament could be removed from office at the whim of a specific party committee. Since then, these representatives have been cornered. In reality, they no longer possess the right to speak freely; they are effectively held captive. This is evident in parliamentary debates, where we see a complete lack of substantive or constructive discourse. The urgency to push through constitutional amendments was not prompted by a state of emergency or a significant threat to national security. Instead, while parliament was in recess, a session was abruptly convened with a simple phone call to change the law. At that point, members were left with no alternative. It is therefore clear that these lawmakers are acting under some form of duress.

Attorney Musthafa Hameed

He stated that the unconditional passage of laws at President Muizzu's behest demonstrates that PNC parliamentarians lack independence and are merely present to rubber-stamp government proposals without any scrutiny.

Musthafa highlighted that PNC members of parliament approved the government's proposal to sign the Samoa Agreement, which advocates for the legalization of same-sex relations.

Members of Parliament have become a group that merely rubber-stamps whatever President Muizzu desires. Consequently, the current PNC members in Parliament are prepared to pass any government proposal without any scrutiny. A prime example of this is the Maldives' accession to the Samoa Agreement, which was passed exactly as presented. PNC members approved it without even having sufficient time to properly review its contents, and notably, without any reservations. Under the Samoa Agreement, practices such as abortion and same-sex relations would be permitted in the Maldives.

Attorney Musthafa Hameed

Musthafa further stated that all these actions demonstrate that the PNC parliamentary members are either incapable of providing any meaningful counsel to President Muizzu, or that the President simply does not seek or value their advice.

Opposition parties have accused President Muizzu of consolidating all powers within his grasp in an attempt to establish a long-term autocratic regime in the Maldives.