Meekail lashes out at government: Debate on sofa resolution will not proceed without addressing the sofa issue
MP Meekail Naseem has criticized a government-sponsored resolution aimed at curbing illegal activities by political parties, alleging it was introduced in response to PNF protests and a documentary released by "Adhadhu" news. During the parliamentary debate, Meekail argued that the move is an attempt to suppress freedom of expression rather than simply addressing "sofa protests," and he expressed further concern over the Speaker's instruction to avoid discussing the matter due to ongoing litigation, asserting that the courts should not interfere with parliamentary independence.
Meekail Ahmed Naseem, Member of Parliament for the South Galolhu constituency | Majlis
Member of Parliament for South Galolhu, Meekail Ahmed Naseem, has delivered a sharp rebuke to the government, asserting that a resolution submitted to Parliament by the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) centers on a dispute over a sofa. He stated that any discussion regarding the matter would be incomplete without addressing the specifics of the furniture in question.
During Monday's People's Majlis sitting, members debated a government-sponsored resolution calling for an end to illegal activities conducted by certain political parties in violation of the Political Parties Act and urging legal action against them. While debating the resolution, MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem contended that the administration is attempting to suppress political party activities simply because a group of people chose to protest with a sofa set.
At the core of this issue is a documentary, regarding which the Criminal Court has issued a widespread injunction. This order prohibits all citizens from discussing, broadcasting, or sharing any content related to the documentary in an effort to suppress its dissemination.
Presiding over the session, Deputy Speaker and MP for Diggaru constituency, Ahmed Nazim, subsequently opened the floor for debate on the submitted resolution.
In response to those remarks, Meekail stated that the resolution was submitted under the pretext of addressing unlawful activities allegedly carried out by certain political parties. He noted that when considering the rationale behind the motion, its true purpose and intent appear to be aimed at stopping a specific political party's protest involving the placement of a sofa.
While the member was speaking, Ibrahim Falah, the MP for Inguraidhoo constituency and Majority Leader, raised a point of order, asserting that Meekail's remarks were irrelevant to the resolution under discussion. He further stated his position that the Parliament should not provide any platform for spreading falsehoods regarding the President of the Maldives.
The chair declined to recognize the point of order and allowed MP Meekail to continue. For the second time, Meekail clarified that his remarks were specifically addressing the underlying reasons for the resolution's submission.
The reason behind the submission of this resolution is clear to every member of this Parliament and the Maldivian public. This is a direct response to the inability to stop the protests involving a sofa set brought in by the PNF. It is because those actions could not be halted that this resolution has been brought before the floor. Connected to this issue is the state's decision to prosecute two journalists from the Adhadhu news outlet. This is a matter that remains intrinsically linked to the current situation.Meekail Ahmed Naseem, Member of Parliament for the South Galolhu constituency.
As the member continued his remarks, Falah raised another point of order. He asserted that the MDP has recently been engaging in highly uncivilized conduct within the Parliament. Falah urged the chair to deny Meekail the opportunity to speak, arguing that he was propagating falsehoods regarding a baseless matter that has already been adjudicated by the court.
Following Falah’s remarks, Nazim stated that he accepted the matter as a point of order on this occasion. He further noted his decision to refrain from discussing the issue further, citing that it pertained to an ongoing court case. After concluding his remarks on the matter, Nazim granted the floor to Meekail.
Meekail reiterated that his remarks were focused on the fundamental reasons behind the resolution's submission. He further asserted that a court lacks the jurisdiction to issue such orders to the People's Majlis, maintaining that no court can dictate how debates should be structured within the Parliament.
There is no instance where a court can issue an order to us regarding how we should shape our discourse here. That freedom is guaranteed to us by the Constitution of the Maldives and the Standing Orders of the People’s Majlis. Do not act in this manner. Do not undermine the dignity of this institution. This institution is independent. This is not a place where the judiciary can interfere. This is the People’s Majlis, and we will speak our minds here. The resolution currently before us concerns a sofa. We cannot proceed with a resolution regarding a sofa without discussing the sofa itself. You cannot lock down our freedom of speech, and you cannot intimidate the press.Meekail Ahmed Naseem, Member of Parliament for the South Galolhu constituency.
Meekail stated that the resolution was submitted in response to a political party bringing a sofa into the chambers to conduct a protest, adding that he intended to address the matter. He reiterated that the issue of the sofa cannot be resolved by submitting a resolution to the People’s Majlis, asserting that the Maldivian public would also continue to speak out on the subject.
