MP Abdu Raheem warns of slashing privileges to former Presidents

Abdu Raheem Abdullah, Deputy Leader of the Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) faction loyal to President Abdullah Yameen, has sent out a signal that he will seek to slash the privileges and security granted to former President.

In a series of tweets posted Monday night, Abdu Raheem called on PPM Parliamentary Group leader Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik to push in legislature that will seek amendments to the privileges and rights granted to former Presidents.

His tweets come at the time when former Presidents Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Mohamed Nasheed had spoken on the importance of reform for the Maldives and the Government.

A subsequent tweet by Abdu Raheem, who is also the MP for Fonadhoo Constituency, said that “those who create chaos in the country for personal gain cannot be protected and given privileges”.

A later tweet added that PPM and MDA will defeat the no confidence motion on the Parliament Speaker Abdullah Maseeh. He said the 27th of this month will be a day when the opposition will suffer a resounding defeat.

MP for Dhiggaru Constituency, Ahmed Faris Maumoon, half-nephew to President Yameen, had spearheaded the motion. He had warned that the Government will seek to either intimidate or bribe the Members of Parliament in the days leading up to the vote.