Many members of the Progressive National Congress (PNC) in the People’s Majlis have called for Ahmed Azaan, the PNC member for Hithadhoo Central Constituency, to be removed from two powerful committees and transferred to two other committees in the Majlis. There have been differences of opinion between Azaan and PNC members for some time. These differences intensified when Azaan began speaking against the bill to amend the law on courts in the Maldives, which would reduce the Supreme Court bench from seven to five judges and mandate the removal of two judges. Azaan has violated the three-line whip by not participating in two votes related to the bill.
Therefore, many PNC members believe that action needs to be taken against Azaan. Many Majlis members of PNC have expressed their dissatisfaction with Azaan’s actions to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. Azaan is currently a member of the two most powerful committees in the Majlis: the Public Finance Committee and the Committee on National Security Services (241 Committee). These two committees include many politically experienced members.
These include Majlis Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim, Jumhooree Party leader Gasim Ibrahim, Eydhafushi constituency member Ahmed Saleem (Redwave Saleem), MDA President Ahmed Siyam, MNP leader Mohamed Nazim, and Hanimaadhoo constituency MDP member Abdulghafoor Moosa.
Some PNC members said that strict action should be taken against those who act against the decisions of the PNC leadership and the PNC parliamentary group. They said this is something that must be done to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.
“If no action is taken, tomorrow they will violate another decision. These are steps that need to be taken to keep the parliamentary group united. We are ready to do whatever it takes to defend President Dr. Muizzu’s government. So this team should only have players who play for the same side. Not players who play for and help the opposition team win,” said a PNC member.
Another PNC member said that due to violating the party’s three-line whip, Azaan should be removed from the Public Finance Committee and 241 Committee and transferred to ordinary committees. He said that sincere and honest members should be given space in those committees. “The 241 Committee is a committee where many state or government secrets will be revealed. The Public Finance Committee is one of the most important committees of the Majlis where a lot of financial information will be known. People who oppose PNC decisions should not be on these two committees,” the member said.
Azaan, who has been speaking against the bill to amend the law on courts in the Maldives to reduce the Supreme Court bench from seven to five judges and mandate the removal of two judges, did not participate in the vote to accept the bill. He also did not participate in yesterday’s vote to decide on passing the bill. Many people noticed when Azaan left the Majlis floor when the vote was called to pass the bill. PNC member for Hoarafushi constituency Abdussattar Mohamed passed the bill to amend the law on courts through a roll call vote in the Majlis. The bill passed with a majority of 68 members who participated in the vote. Nine members voted against passing the bill.
While PNC had said they would take action against members who did not vote to accept the bill, Azaan was removed from the WhatsApp group of the party’s Majlis members yesterday. President Dr. Muizzu is also in this group. In a statement issued regarding this, Azaan said he did not support the bill to amend the law on courts because the bill is unconstitutional. Although he opposed the bill, he said he remains with the government and will not hesitate to bring the necessary development to his constituency.
