The motion to grant retirement benefits to former chief justices and former Vice Presidents was submitted "to rob state funds", says Hoarafushi constituency MP Ahmed Saleem.
Speaking at Monday's sitting, MP Saleem praised President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih for rejecting the motion passed by the 18th parliament to grant retirement benefits to former chief justices and former vice presidents, and called the decision "responsible."
Stressing that the motion carries many concerns, MP Saleem stated that if the bill is passed, it will be threatening to the future of the nation.
“Our motive should not be to seek more from the state after completing our tenure. Instead, the biggest privilege and security we received after our tenure ends is the affection and respect from the people. We shouldn’t even think about seeking more than that”MP Saleem
In this regard, he said that enforcing these bills sets a dangerous precedent. He went on to say that granting such privileges to particular persons might be "an overwhelming responsibility for the people."
Further stressing on the current situation of the country, MP Saleem said that electricity, education and health issues are a pressing concern that requires poses more significance. As such, while these issues are at hand, we must not seek to grant privileges or provide financial support to a particular person whose tenure has ended, said Saleem.
The freshly elected MP said that the people will not accept this.
This bill, in Saleem’s words, will drag the people down and cause "nothing but distress and loss."
Further, the lawmaker stated that passing the motion to grant these privileges was the "lowest act" by the previous administration.
The amendment to the Judges Act to grant privileges to former chief justices was proposed by Vilufushi constituency MP Riyaz Rasheed and approved by parliament by the end of April. President Solih had decided against ratifying the amendment to the Judges Act as it violated Article 75 of the Constitution.
“Members of the People’s Majlis should be guided in their actions by considerations of national interest and public welfare foremost, and should not exploit their official positions in any way for their own benefit or for the benefit of those with whom they have special relations. They shall represent not only their constituencies but the country as a whole” – Article 75
President Solih also rejected the bill to pay a monthly allowance of MVR 35,000 out of state funds to all individuals that filled the position of Vice President, passed in mid-April, as there is no such clause in the constitutions.
According to the bill submitted by Eydhafushi MP Ahmed Saleem, all Vice Presidents who served after the implementation of the new constitution since August 7, 2008, are eligible for these privileges following the ratification of the bill. However, if found guilty of a criminal offence, they will be excluded from the privileges that comes under the bill.
