Endorsement of Chief of Defense Force by Parliament is a step towards a military coup – MDP MP

Sunday, March 14th, 2010

Mohamed Nazim, MP for Madaveli has said that PA backed amendment to the Armed Forces Act, which would subject Maldives Chief of the Defense Force to endorsement from the Parliament is a step towards organizing a military coup. His remarks came after repeated threats by the opposition DRP which implied that they would use “means outside the constitution to make the current government responsible”.

In the meeting held last Friday night, all the members of the MDP who addressed the gathering vowed to defeat the bill once it comes to a vote in the parliament.

Speakers also said that the PA is spearheading an amendment to the Public Finance Act, which would bring that act to the mandate of the parliament once amended. MPs also said that the opposition is now working to destroy the freedom of the MNBC, country’s public broadcasting cooperation, and attacked PA heavily.

“These amendments are an encroachment to the mandate and the functions of the Executive by the Legislature” said that MPs.

Nazim also said that PA is of the view that once defense, finance and media is under their control opposition can launch a coup and oust the country’s first democratically elected government and the coup is being led by a leader of a opposition party.

Abdul Ghafoor Moosa, MP for Kulhdhuffushi North and who has served the MNDF for 20 years said that the amendment would not be accepted by the MNDF itself.

Dr. Fathin Hameed, a senior member of the opposition DRP who played a key role in the drafting of the country’s constitution said that when DRP was the ruling party, the spirit was in direct contradiction to the DRP backed current amendment. She also said that she do not believe DRP should support the parliament to encroach the mandate and functions of the government, because DRP is the opposition party with a toehold on the parliament.

Reader Comments

  1. Such a law is quite essential in the Maldives today. Question is whether the MNDF is above the law or not. If it is governmed by Law, which was passed in Parliament, then it should abide by and be accountable to further laws passsed in Parliament. Its just like the former president taking cover behind the constitutiuon, that our Mr. President today is taking cover. This is the only means for him to save his ……… from all the unconstitutional things he is doing. So when it is time for his power to be curtailed these Mentally Deranged Paraniods go about creating a big ruckus all over town. Like this so called politician Nazim calling for demonstrations at the Parliament. (Is it allwed to demonstrate new Parliament)Your time is pretty soon going to be up. Get all the minor generals at forces to answer to Parliament. After all they are to safeguard the interests of the country. Not just the interests of some anneh junkie, anneh alkie or anneh partey…..

    Posted by The Musketeer | March 14, 2010, 4:06 pm

  2. Guys take a break. Parliamentarians had to introduce this bill in the wake of systematic abuse of security instruments. Officers are sacked according to the whims and fancies of ruling politicians. When the situation reaches this level everyone has a duty to correct the wrongdoings… Executive presidency does not mean he is all powerful. And that is the reason we brought the so called change.

    Posted by saywhynot | March 14, 2010, 6:32 pm

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