Member of Parliament for Maduvvari constituency, Adam Shareef Umar has stated that he does not believe independent institutions were influenced during the former administration of Abdulla Yameen, and that their work was not hindered during his administration.

Speaking on RaajjeTV’s “Fala Surukhee” show on Tuesday, Shareef stated that he believes if said institutions were not in fact “independent”, current heads and workers at the institutions must work to uphold their responsibilities under legally mandated ways henceforth.

He also said that throwing shade at the previous government instead of upholding their responsibilities themselves, is an irresponsible act.

This comes at a time heads of independent institutions claimed that they were stifled during the previous administration from working independently and carrying out their responsibilities, when summoned to parliament committee since the 19th parliament began.

Shareef, who held the post of Defense Minister during the former administration, went on to stress that the parliament had opposition members, even back then.

He questioned why said institutions did not join with then opposition to give a statement and act on it, if they were being muffled by then government.

Further, Shareef expressed his strong belief that it is not a responsible act to talk about how independent institutions failed to uphold their responsibilities.