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Ruling party criticizes opposition's parliament boycotting

Ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has criticized members of the Maldives United Opposition (MUO) - the multi-party opposition coalition - for boycotting parliament sittings.

The parliamentary group leader and Vilimale' MP Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik on Monday claimed that members of the opposition had once again boycotted parliament sitting however had reflected their names on the attendance record.

Nihan also added that these members who are refusing to partake in official sittings are attending committee meetings.

"Allowances aside from basic salary are subjected for lawmakers who are included and work in more than one committees and that is why they attend these," Nihan said, criticizing further stating "apart from being irresponsible they are fully exploiting the situation since the salary retains even if members do not attend official sittings."

The ruling party senior had furthermore lambasted members of the opposition stating they are failing to represent the people of their respective constituencies adequately and instead are engaging in unnecessary political activities.

Monday's agenda for the parliament including deliberation over president nominated name for the new ambassador to Japan, Ibrahim Uwais and new member to National Integrity Commission, Ahmed Sulaiman.

President Abdulla Yameen had forwarded two separate letters to parliament nominating both names for the mentioned responsibilities - which was read at Monday's session by deputy secretary general Fathimath Niusha.

The names have been forwarded to special committee responsible in detailed analysis and research of individuals nominated for high-profile government designations.