In order to bring about meaningful change, the Parliament must be free from the tyranny of armed forces, says former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

He made the statement in a speech delivered to the joint opposition rally held on Thursday night in Maamigili island in Alif Dhaal Atoll. His speech was delivered by daughter Yumna Maumoon.

In his address, the former President highlighted that it was imperative that reform must begin from the Parliament, which should be transformed into an entity that is able to hold the Government accountable and truly represent the public and their Constituents in the Parliament. He described the Parliament as being at the mercy of security forces and honorable Members of Parliament as fearful of the repercussion of entering their work places.

As such, the former President said the Parliamentary reform must begin, by rescuing the Parliament and ensure that Parliamentarians are free from persecution they face by fulfilling their legal mandate. Such reform must ensure that MPs are secure in their status of their Parliamentary seats, he added. The former President said that the Parliament must be empowered to fully and securely carry out their legal obligations and mandate.

Reform of this nature, he said, will ensure that the Parliament becomes an entity in its own right. This, in the end will ensure that the change brought to the nation by the Joint Opposition is a success.