Fayyaz Ismail, Chairperson of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), has expressed strong opposition to the approval of Minister of Cities, Local Government, and Public Works, Adam Shareef Umar, providing three specific reasons.
The former Economic Minister noted that during President Yameen Abdul Gayyoom's tenure, where, for the first time in parliamentary history, the army entered the Parliament and physically removed MPs, Adam Shareef was the Defense Minister.
Fayyaz mentioned the recent controversial blocking of three websites critical of the current government and noted that the three internet service providers in the Maldives block websites only on the order of the Communications Authority of Maldives (CAM). Under the current government of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, CAM is operated under the Ministry of Cities, Local Government, and Public Works, of which Adam Shareef is the minister.
“Now he is attempting to stifle the freedom of expression through CAM,” Fayyaz said.
The third point of contention is the dredging of Fushidhiggaru Lagoon near K. Gulhi island for President Dr. Muizzu's Ras Male' project. Fayyaz argued that this development would exacerbate congestion in the Male area, contradicting the government's decentralization goals.
The approval of the members of the Cabinet was on the agenda for Monday's Parliament session. However, as soon as the session commenced, Thulhaadhoo MP Hisan Hussain raised concerns regarding the absence of the mandates of newly created ministries in the committee report on the matter. MP Hisan argued that ministers can only be approved if the responsibilities of their respective ministries are clear, and emphasized a violation of constitutional and parliamentary rules.
Accepting MP Hisan's point of order, Parliament Speaker MP Mohamed Aslam briefly adjourned the session to consult with Majority Leader Mohamed Rasheed Hussain (Bigey) and Minority Leader Ali Azim. Upon resuming the session, Speaker Aslam announced that the committee report lacked the necessary details and, as a result, the approval of ministers would be postponed and referred back to the committee for further review.
The Government Oversight Committee, responsible for ministerial approval, was slated to meet at 9:00 a.m., but a quorum was not achieved, resulting in the cancellation of the meeting. The parliament session has been extended until the 28th of this month due to the delay in approving ministers. A committee member stated that the committee meeting required a minimum of four members to commence, and a quorum of six members was necessary for a committee vote.
The term of the last parliament session for this year has now been extended until the 28th of this month due to the delay in approving the ministers.
Minister of Cities, Local Government, and Public Works, Adam Shareef Umar
