No obstacles to the AG Office submitting bills to parliament: speaker

No obstacles to the Attorney General’s Office (AG Office) sending in bills to parliament, says Speaker Mohamed Nasheed.

The former president said this while speaking at Monday’s sitting, addressing the concern over whether the parliament or the AG Office is to draft the bills.

Nasheed noted that Article 70 (a) of the Constitution states that “the legislative authority of the Maldives shall be vested in the People’s Majlis,” including its amendment and the enactment of legislation with regard to any matter, or the amendment or repeal of any law, which is not inconsistent with tenet of Islam (Article 70b, 1 and 2).

While the speaker had earlier this month revealed that the parliament has begun work on drafting bills to be submitted by the government, there has been a disagreement on the matter between ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and Attorney General Ibrahim Riffath.

Noting that there are no obstacles to the AG Office prepping the bills and sending to parliament, Nasheed emphasized the importance of getting feedback from all relevant institutions before compiling a bill.

The speaker also highlighted that parliament resources, whether by MDP or any other party, are to be used to make laws and draft bills, adding that any integrity issues can only arise if the resources are being used for personal benefit.

Following the announcement that the parliament is working on drafting bills, the attorney general had expressed discontent over the matter.

Noting that the bills submitted to parliament are “to fulfill the government’s pledges, enforce and implement its policies,” Riffath criticized the integrity of the current parliament.

When questioned on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s stance on the matter, his spokesperson said that the president urges to “follow standard procedures,” which he said is for the AG Office to draft the bills.