With the last sitting of the 19th parliamentary term held on Monday, members of the current parliament, most of whom were not reelected for another term, has shared final statements on their performance amid these past five years.
Parliamentarians have expressed their thoughts on the work performed during the last five years of the 19th parliament term, remarking that they are content with the accomplishments.
The final session of the 19th term was concluded today and members were given the chance to voice their farewell statements. While majority of the current members were unable to secure seats in the 20th term, members had highlighted that they had amassed the adoration and trust of their constituents and expressed joy in managing to arrange many procedures for them during their tenure.
Ahmed Saleem, Parliamentarian of the Horafushi Constituency and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament since December last year stated that all mandates enforced over a lawmaker was carried out with sincerity and integrity while adopting the most ideal approaches.
He recalled that his work at the parliament had brought development to various islands and underscored that he had played a principal role in arranging a MVR 700 million development investment to three islands in his constituency.
Departing after serving 15 years at the People's Majlis, Ahmed Amir of the Kudahuvadhoo seat reflected that the efforts he had made with persistence is made evident in the trust that remains endowed to him as he concludes his third term at the parliament.
"For sure I have not done anything other than serving as a member of the People's Majlis. There will be no businesses done in exploitation of my position. There will be no illicit benefits acquired through exploiting my position. There will be nothing that was done in exploitation of my position to break the trust of the people," assured Amir.
He stressed that pressure needs to be exerted into preserving the People's Parliament as the people's institution.
MP Imthiyaz Fahmy of the North Maafannu Constituency declared that he cannot agree to diminishing the powers of the parliament even after departing from the legislature.
He maintained that working towards the path of decreasing the people's power from this country is unacceptable and proclaimed that such a state will be destructive to the country's democracy.
He asserted that in his life as a lawmaker, he has seen the parliament met with dark days and shared his desire not to see such times repeated. He recalled that many tragic events had occurred within the parliament in the past such as MNDF officers entering the parliament and removing members from the House and the Supreme Court of Maldives deducting and repealing the Powers and Privileges Act after deciding that lawmakers elected through the court are not authentic members.
Imthiyaz urged for the parliament to remain an independent body regardless of the ruling party, People's National Congress (PNC) acquiring super majority of the 20th parliament term.
"Even if a super majority belonging to the government was obtained, I want to remind that the People's Majlis is an independent institution. That is, if the parliament functions as it should, two powers cannot be merged into one. Therefore, I implore for it to not become a place which does no more than stamp its seal on documents," said Imthiyaz.
Speaking his farewell, Parliamentarian of the Fonadhoo Constituency and the Minority Leader, Moosa Siraj announced that all the pledges made to the people five years ago has been fulfilled and the path to facilitate them have been arranged. He further highlighted that many important demands of the people have been met while expressing his adoration for his constituency.
Ali Hussain, MP of the Kendhoo Constituency reflected that he highly regrets the incapability to establish the amendment proposed to alter the composition of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), which was a matter he had loudly and prominently advocated for.
He stressed that if a single aspect of the constitution was to be amended, this is a most essential alteration and recalled that efforts were made towards this aim during this tenure as well.
"I think, I am leaving with joy. And with sadness as well. But all I have to say to the people is 'thank you'," Ali Hussain expressed.
The members who were offered the chance to make remarks had all reiterated that they hold the contentment of flawlessly executing the work assigned by the people and had expressed their gratitude towards their constituencies for the trust they were conferred.
While the 19th parliament term was concluded today, the elected parliamentarians of the 20th term are set to take their oath on May 28.
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