The opposition has submitted a no-confidence motion against Minister of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture Zaha Waheed.

11 members representing the opposition coalition of the country backed the emergency motion submitted during Wednesday’s parliament sitting.

The opposition members claim that Zaha, in her position as fisheries minister, has failed to deliver the government’s pledges for the sector as well as promoting the industry. Further, they claimed that Zaha has been irresponsible in fulfilling her responsibilities for the sector, noting that her remaining in the position would prove to be impractical for fishermen and their families across the nation.

MPs went on to note that the ministry has failed to act on the government’s pledges or conduct any activities to promote the sector.

The fisheries ministry also failed to pave way to increase value for fishermen’s catch and increase their earnings.

The members who endorsed the motion are Parliament’s minority leader and Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM)’s Parliamentary Group leader and Eydhafushi constituency MP Ahmed Saleem, Kaashidhoo MP Abdulla Jabir, Nolhivaram MP Mohamed Nasheed Abdulla and eight others.

A minimum of 10 signatures are required to submit no-confidence motions against a cabinet member and the People’s Majlis may oust a member of the cabinet of minister through the votes of 43 parliamentarians.

Recently, the parliament ousted Minister of Communications, Science and Technology, Mohamed Maleeh Jamal. 59 MPs in attendance had voted in favor of the no-confidence motion against Maleeh, and one vote had been cast against it. Four members of parliament abstained from voting. Maleeh is the first cabinet minister of the Solih administration to be removed from office with a motion of no-confidence passed against them from the floor of parliament.

Zaha was earlier summoned to parliament for questioning after claims of failure to establish required regulations under the new Fisheries Act.