MDP's PG approves no confidence motion against Minister Maleeh

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s parliamentary group, on Sunday, approved the decision to pursue a motion of no-confidence against Minister of Communications, Science and Technology Mohamed Maleeh Jamal.

The move to greenlight the no-confidence motion against Minister Maleeh was finalised during a parliamentary group meeting in which MDP also decided against pursuing such a motion against Minister of Home Affairs Abdulla Imran.

MDP parliamentary group leader and Henveiru Central MP Ali Azim had previously asserted that the party's stance opposed a no-confidence motion against Imran. The motion was lodged by the opposition coalition of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and the People's National Congress (PNC) with 11 signatures.

The move to seek Minister Maleeh's dismissal was submitted by Parliamentary representative of Male' City's Galolhu South Constituency Meekail Ahmed Naseem, along with the signatures of 10 parliamentarians, on November 16.

The request highlighted the Communications Authority's failure to compile any of the regulations mandated under the Telecommunication Act throughout Maleeh's two-year period as the minister. It was also alleged that Maleeh refused to cooperate with and blocked efforts by ministry employees to compile the regulations.

Noting that the aforementioned regulations were crucial to regulating Maldives' telecommunications network, the request to approve the no confidence motion highlighted that any delays in their formulation negatively impacted the country and its citizens.

Speaking to local media outlet Mihaaru, Minister Maleeh questioned the legal legitimacy of pursuing a motion of no-confidence against him. He particularly highlighted that the Communications Authority was an independent body that was managed by an elected board of directors and a chief executive officer (CEO).

He went on to describe the decision as a 'nail in the coffin' for the incumbent administration.

Maleeh was appointed to the communications ministry on a slot allocated to ruling coalition partner Jumhooree Party (JP).