Some members of Maldives Democratic Party’s (MDP) Parliamentary Group have started to work towards removing Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem from office.
A member of MDP’s parliamentary group had proposed removing Shameem from office in a meeting held on Wednesday. Even though other members had supported the proposal, the matter was not discussed further in the meeting.
MDP’s parliamentary group holds parliament majority with a total of 65 seats. The party’s parliamentary group leader Mohamed Aslam had told Mihaaru news that the proposal to dismiss PG Shameem had gotten several members support. However, as the issue was brought up when they had opened the floor to submit other issues, it was not further discussed.
“I did not ask for a vote because a matter like this has to be scheduled, and discussed, before a decision is made,” Aslam had told Mihaaru news.
The issue was brought forwards because some members do not believe he is responsible in carrying out his duties, he said.
“As the best way forward is to schedule it and discuss it, [I] will propose it again after discussing the matter with the party leadership.”
Aslam said when these kind of issues are brought up, they usually schedule it to be discussed in the next meeting they hold.
It is yet unclear why MDP parliamentary group is dissatisfied with Shameem. However, he has been previously summoned to various parliament committees. These include why there is a delay in pressing charges in some cases investigated by Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) and regarding the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation’s corruption case.
The biggest criticism directed at the Prosecutor General's Office recently was over the delay in the case filed by ACC against Youth Minister Ahmed Mahloof.