MP Ziyad’s rebuttal to PNC: There is no smoke without fire
Responding to a government resolution submitted to Parliament against opposition activities, Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad asserted that public dissent always stems from underlying grievances. He expressed grave concern over the government's use of the police to take action against the news outlet "Adhadhu" following its release of a documentary, characterizing the move as a direct assault on press freedom. The lawmaker further contended that such resolutions are a calculated attempt by the administration to stifle opposition voices and suppress dissent.
Hussain Ziyad, Member of Parliament for the Vaikaradhoo constituency. | People's Majlis
Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad has delivered a sharp rebuke to the People's National Congress (PNC) in Parliament, invoking the traditional proverb that there is no smoke without fire to suggest that public allegations often stem from underlying truths.
During Tuesday's parliamentary sitting, debate continued on a government-sponsored resolution calling for an end to illegal activities conducted by opposition parties and urging that legal action be taken against those involved in accordance with the law.
Debating the resolution, members representing the People's National Congress (PNC) asserted that the opposition is propagating baseless claims. The PNC members condemned the dissemination of such misinformation and specifically urged the opposition to refrain from leveling false accusations against the President.
Participating in the debate and responding to the matter, MP Ziyad expressed his surprise at the PNC for submitting the resolution. He remarked that protesting has now been characterized as something unsightly and illegal, adding that he felt compelled to address issues he would rather not discuss because PNC members were forcing his hand.
Ziyad stated that he did not wish to comment on anyone's personal life. However, he noted the old adage that "there is no smoke without fire," suggesting that such rumors only circulate when there is some underlying truth or incident.
The Honorable President is someone who has engaged in politics with a certain level of mischief. However, until today, we have never heard allegations of this nature. Whether there is any truth to it or not, the only recurring story we hear is the one about the narrow tin sheet. We do not hear these kinds of accusations. I have not heard such things regarding the PG Leader either. Nor have we heard them about the famous 'Baarashu Mike.' If using foul language achieved nothing, they would not be sitting here today. The public can see this for themselves. Take our brother Shiyam, who was so prominent in the protests; he is now serving as a Minister. Then there is Naresh—no one displayed more unsightly behavior on the streets than he did. Yet, because being Deputy Mayor was not enough, he has now been appointed as a Minister.Hussain Ziyad, the Member of Parliament for the Vaikaradhoo constituency.
Ziyad reiterated that the People's National Congress (PNC) is submitting these resolutions to compel the opposition to address issues they would otherwise prefer to avoid. He repeatedly asserted that people only speak out when there is a genuine underlying concern. The member further noted that the necessity of submitting such resolutions arises only because specific actions have already been taken.
In his remarks, the member expressed deep concern over the police raid on the Adhadhu newsroom, during which equipment was seized in connection with the documentary "Aisha." He questioned the timing and procedure of the action, noting that if measures were to be taken, they should not have been initiated a full month after the documentary's release. Furthermore, he stated that he could not comprehend why the police were deployed for such an intervention when a dedicated media regulatory commission already exists to handle such matters.
