Angry mob condemns MPs for passing full immunity and lavish privileges for former President

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009

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iyyege400protest A large crowd of people mainly supporters of the ruling MDP, angered by the decision of the members of the opposition DRP of the Peoples Majlis to provide full immunity from prosecution and lavish privileges to the former president clashed with the police yesterday afternoon near the Majlis. Earlier in the day, riot police arrived at the scene when large number of people gathered near the Majlis and started expressing their anger and condemnation about the bill which was seeking extraordinary facilities amounting to hundreds of thousands of Maldivian Rufiyaas to the former president in addition to total immunity from prosecution for anything he has done or not done while in office. The mob started in the morning and Police appealed them for calm and leaving the place. The area surrounding the Majlis was cordoned off from morning but later people in large numbers entered into the area gathered there.

The crowd were carrying placards and shouting to reject the bill and not to pass the article which gives immunity to the former President from prosecution. They warned there will be serious implications if the clause was passed. Police continued appealing for calm but the gathering became more hostile and several persons in the mob tried to enter the Majlis premises. Three persons who jumped into the premises were detained by the Police. There were minor injuries caused to some in the crowd and Police as well.
The bill was authored and submitted by Vilimaafannu member Ahmed Nihan of the opposition DRP and was extensively debated with confrontational reaction from both the ruling MDP and opposition DRP during the long debate. The last meeting of the previous session was suspended after the debate became hostile and unruly.

Ruling MDP was saying the bill was aiming to give unlimited immunity and lavish facilities to the former president which they say is against the Constitution and beyond the financial means of the country. They were against giving total immunity from prosecution and such huge facilities to anyone. They have blamed DRP for being unfair and selfish to ask for full immunity from law and so much of privileges for DRP leader and former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. MDP accused Gayoom as a dictator and say he is responsible for plunging the country into the worst state it is facing today. MDP proposed several amendments to reduce these immunities and privileges to what they described as nominal level. Most of all they wanted to omit the clause on total immunity. But they were all turned down by DRP members who dominated the Majlis by a very slim majority. MDPs parliamentary group leader and Hulhuhenveyru member Moosa Maniku and some other members of the party accused Speaker Abdullah Shahid of taking sides and violating the Constitution. Shahid however responded that he is only conducting the meeting according to the Constitution and Standing Order of the Majlis.

DRP members denied these allegations and went steadfast with the bill to give their leader what they said he and anyone who holds the office of the president deserves. They argued that a former president must be given immunity and facilities which could enable him to live in honor and dignity as he is a symbol of the country.

According to reports, ruling MDP was not totally against the bill and its provisions, what they were concerned was the total immunity from prosecution which the bill was seeking above all things. MDP has repeatedly argued about the clause which they said contravenes the Constitution. The Constitution says all people are equal before law and justice, and justice will be done to anyone irrespective of his position and status.

Article 127 of the Constitution says, The President and Vice President shall be answerable in law for any alleged criminal offence, whether committed before or during his term of office. Article 128 says A person who has served in the office of the President , serving is term of office lawfully without committing any offence, shall be entitled to the highest honor, dignity, protection, financial privileges and other privileges entitled to a person who has served in the highest office of the land. Such protection and privileges shall be specified in law.

Former President Gayooms DRP also submitted a similar bill to the previous Majlis but they withdrew it in the final stages to submit the present bill which contains more privileges and facilities than in the previous one.

Most of the amendments that were put to vote yesterday were proposed by MDP which wanted to reduce these privileges and exclude the clause which gives total immunity for prosecution on alleged criminal offences. Their efforts to exclude this clause was rejected by the Majlis which will ensure the bill to be passed to the full needs of the opposition DRP in order to give their leader one of the most lavish and costly package of immunities and privileges ever passed by the Majlis.

MDP Government of President Nasheed has accused former President and his Government of large scale embezzlement and corruption which Gayoom has denied. President Nasheed has established a Presidential commission to investigate these allegations. Former President Gayoom was summoned to the Police Headquarters in August. The bill if passed will now give full immunity to the former President from any prosecution regarding what he had done or not done during his 30 year rule.

It is almost certain the bill will be passed tomorrow however much MDP and their supporters would try to prevent it or oppose it. Even if President Nasheed does not ratify the bill, or return it to the Majlis, the bill will become law and give all the protection and privileges Gayoom and his DRP have wanted.

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