Main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) on Tuesday slammed the Anti-Corruption Commission for summoning Dhiggaru MP Faris Maumoon, declaring the act as politically motivated bullying over the lawmaker’s role in submitting a motion of no confidence against parliament speaker Abdulla Maseeh.
The son of Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, MP Faris had lobbied the motion of no confidence against the speaker to the parliament last Wednesday with 26 signatures. On a summons issued Monday, he presented himself to the ACC early Tuesday for questioning over an undisclosed investigation. However, the lawmaker declared before and after the inquiry that the commission summoning him was “politically motivated harassment” over the no confidence vote.
MP Faris also declared after emerging from the ACC that this development is an indication that the motion of no confidence against Maseeh will be passed. He vowed that he will not step back in the face of such harassment and see the motion through.
The opposition MDP reiterated his claims that ACC is trying to intimidate him for his stance against the parliament speaker and the government, and censured the commission’s summons. In a statement, MDP declared that it betrays the political influence rampant among independent institutions and accused President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and his administration of deliberately attempting to hinder and bully politicians, journalists and social media activists into submission.
The party called on ACC and all other independent institutions and the police to work with integrity and steer clear of political influence that compromises their mandate and public trust.
Neither MP Faris nor the ACC revealed the investigation connected to the former’s questioning. However, Mihaaru understands that MP Faris was summoned over the Audit Report of the former presidential palace of Theemuge. The lawmaker’s father, Former President Maumoon had also been previously questioned over the Audit Report.
Meanwhile, the parliament administration has scheduled to hold the debate on the motion of no confidence against Speaker Maseeh on March 27. MP Faris claims that he has confirmed enough votes will be given to pass the motion.
Sign In