Speaker of Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla has called on members of Parliament to uphold the integrity of their roles by avoiding statements in parliamentary debates that cannot be substantiated in a court of law or that could harm the reputation of State institutions.
The Speaker’s remarks followed an emergency motion submitted by opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem. The motion raised concerns about the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) being awarded office space in a building rented by MMTV, a newly registered media outlet.
Abdul Raheem intervened during the session, advising Meekail against making unverified statements that could potentially damage the reputation of State institutions. The Speaker emphasized that Parliament, as a place of honor and respect, requires members to maintain high standards of conduct.
“Here, we refer to members as ‘Honourable.’ It is imperative that their actions reflect this honor,” the Speaker stated, reiterating the importance of integrity in parliamentary proceedings.
The motion was subsequently rejected on the grounds that it did not meet the factual criteria outlined in Article 197 of the parliamentary regulations. This article mandates that emergency motions be based on verifiable facts.
While the Maldives Constitution grants MPs immunity for their statements within Parliament under Article 90(a), this privilege does not extend to remarks that are inconsistent with the principles of Islam or that lack factual grounding.
Despite being denied the opportunity to speak further on the matter, Meekail expressed frustration, alleging that Parliament was being influenced to suppress discussions on issues like corruption and misuse of public resources.
The Speaker’s stance reinforces the principle that parliamentary debates should focus on constructive dialogue, accountability, and adherence to established regulations, ensuring the dignity of the People’s Majlis is preserved.
