One Historical Incident Does Not Define Vashafaru’s Culture: Ziyad
Member of Parliament Hussain Ziyad has criticized the legislature for failing to conduct adequate research on government-proposed bills following the President's decision to return the Organ Transplantation Bill due to significant legal gaps. Emphasizing that the primary responsibility of Parliament is to hold the government accountable, Ziyad noted that members must exercise greater diligence during the legislative process. He further called upon the Speaker of Parliament to uphold the dignity of the institution and safeguard the constitutional principle of the separation of powers.
Hussain Ziyad, Member of Parliament for the Vaikaradhoo constituency. | majlis
The Member of Parliament for the Vaikaradhoo constituency, Hussain Ziyad, has stated that while the people of HA. Vashafaru may have made a misstep only once in their lives, it is unacceptable for such an occurrence to be transformed into a cultural norm.
Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad has sharply criticized the government and the Parliament during a legislative debate, following President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s decision to return the Human Organ Transplantation Bill for reconsideration. The President sent the bill back to the People’s Majlis, citing that the current version remains incomplete.
Speaking in Parliament, Ziyad stated that since the end of the decades-long monarchical rule, every subsequent administration in the Maldives has been brought down by the influence of "brothers-in-law." He noted that these individuals have acted as a destructive force within every government, adding that while the monarchy no longer exists, this same pattern remains visible in the country today.
While acknowledging that parliamentary committees are functioning to review legislation, Ziyad expressed concern over the trend of passing government-submitted bills without adequate scrutiny, only for them to be returned. He emphasized that both ministers submitting the bills and the Parliament reviewing them must exercise greater diligence. Ziyad added that it was fortunate the President had thoroughly reviewed the bill on this occasion.
In addressing this matter, I must note that even the people of Vashafaru have only been misled once in their lives. However, we cannot allow this to become a recurring culture. We cannot simply dismiss everything, and the same applies to the ministers being shuffled from one place to another. We are discussing the situation where a government-sponsored bill is thoroughly reviewed and passed, only for the President to send it back to this chamber. I agree, Mr. Speaker, that the government must be defended. However, if we as Members of Parliament attempt to cover for the government’s flaws at the expense of our own integrity, we risk exposing our own vulnerabilities. Therefore, we must defend the government while maintaining our dignity and ensuring we do not compromise ourselves in the process.Hussain Ziyad, Member of Parliament for the Vaikaradhoo constituency.
He stated that defending the government should be done while ensuring one's own security, and that loyalty should be maintained within reasonable limits. He further noted that the returning of a bill is not a matter that warrants shouting or heated arguments within the Parliament.
Addressing the Speaker, Ziyad emphasized that upholding the dignity and integrity of the Parliament is a fundamental responsibility of the Chair. Reminding the Speaker that he heads one of the three separate branches of state, Ziyad noted that the opposition's remarks are not driven solely by a spirit of confrontation.
Ziyad further emphasized that they are not merely the opposition, but members tasked with holding the government accountable. He noted that while the primary responsibilities of Parliament are lawmaking and government oversight, this incident has exposed a failure by committees to conduct sufficient due diligence when reviewing submitted bills.
