The government’s amendment bill to the Anti-Terrorism Act has been sent to the committee.

The bill was sent to the committee on national security with 54 votes in favor, on Sunday.

The bill was proposed on behalf of the government by South Henveiru MP Hussain Shameem. Two extraordinary sittings have been held to pass the amendment.

Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla said that the next extraordinary sitting will be held after the committee opens the bill to public opinion and sends its report to the floor.

The amendment bill was proposed to fast-track the work of the presidential commission on deaths and disappearances. The government has denied claims that the bill gives undue power to the police service.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said that changes need to be made to the Anti-Terrorism Act as authorities move forward with the investigation on the kidnapping and murder of journalist Ahmed Rilwan, since the laws need to better define what terrorism is and make it easier for authorities to arrest terrorist suspects.