The government coalition is working to hold an extraordinary sitting on January 20 to pass a bill to give more powers to the presidential commissions investigating state embezzlement and unsolved murders and disappearances.

Joint parliamentary group leader Abdulla Riyaz has confirmed this to RaajjeMV.

The coalition was unable to pass the bill at the last sitting of the year on December 15 due to a lack of quorum.

43 members need to be in attendance to pass a bill that concerns the public. Therefore, the coalition is working to guarantee the attendance of MPs at January’s sitting, said Riyaz.

The four leaders of the coalition agreed to hold an extraordinary sitting after President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih expressed concern over the parliament going into recess without passing the bill.

One third of MPs need to provide their signatures and give a reason in a petition to the parliament before holding an extraordinary sitting.