Majlis committee probes parliament 'scuffle' that injured lawmaker
MP Shiyam is to have been injured during a special sitting held regarding an amendment to the constitution
(File photo) Naifaru constituency MP Ahmed Shiyam | People's Majlis
The parliament’s committee on member’s privileges and ethics has decided to look into events that led to the injury of Naifaru constituency MP Ahmed Shiyam, during a parliamentary sitting held earlier this month.
The vice president of opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) is to have been injured during a special sitting held regarding an amendment to the constitution. The sitting started at 1:30am on June 2, and the purpose of constitutional amendment was to avoid a legal vacuum given that the Local Council Elections have been delayed indefinitely and the existing councilors’ terms were to expire on June 3.
Things took a turn at the sitting with MPs pushing and shoving each other, after MP Shiyam refused to leave the parliament chambers despite being called being called out by the speaker. He was ultimately escorted out of the chambers by the sergeant at arms, as per procedures.
The opposition claims that Shiyam sustained injuries to his ribs and spine during the incident, and members have been boycotting the parliament sittings since.
While the special sitting was held to extend councilors’ terms in order to avoid a legal vacuum, the opposition coalition -comprising of PPM and the People’s National Congress (PNC)- had initially expressed support for the amendment, they later chose to oppose it.
The committee on member’s privileges and ethics met on Tuesday, and formed a three-member sub-committee to probe the incident. This sub-committee comprises of North-Kulhudhuffushi constituency MP Yasir Abdul Latheef, Gan constituency MP Mohamed Wisam and Maduvvari constituency MP Adam Shareef; two of them represent the main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) while the former represents opposition PNC.
While the sub-committee is to compile a report after reviewing the issue, the whole committee will reach a decision on the matter which will in turn be presented to the parliament floor.
There are 13 members in the committee on member’s privileges and ethics.
