Allegations in no confidence motion baseless: parliament speaker

Parliamentary speaker Abdulla Maseeh declared that the allegations in the motion of no confidence against him are entirely baseless, asserting that he has faithfully followed constitutional laws and regulations in parliament.

Presenting his defence during the parliament debate on the no confidence motion against him, Speaker Maseeh proclaimed that he had worked to uphold the honour and dignity of all lawmakers over the past three years of his tenure. He stated that he has strived for the rights of the people and his mandate in parliament with unwavering steadfastness.

Declaring that the motion of no confidence was sought against him on groundless accusations, the speaker countered all seven points raised against him in the no confidence petition signed by 26 lawmakers. He noted that he had received a 98.9 percent productivity rate over the past year of parliament sit-downs.

Speaker Maseeh refuted accusations that he had withheld submitted bills from the parliament agenda. Asserting that he forwards all bills accepted on the parliament floor to committees for further review, he said, “I always urge parliament committees to hasten their work and we’ve seen those results.”

He also denied allegations of six bills left incomplete and that he does not summon ministers and top officials of independent institutions to committee meetings.

Maseeh went on to point out that the parliament speaker has no say in the amount of time granted for lawmakers to debate on bills which is already determined in the parliament’s policy and regulations. The speaker also asserted that he defers to the plans of political parties’ parliamentary groups in providing chances to respective lawmakers to speak in sit-downs.

“The speaker works in accordance with laws and regulations. The parliament speaker is neither allowed to submit a bill nor given an opportunity to speak in debate with the exception of this issue today,” he said.

Maseeh further stressed that the speaker cannot act in violation of the procedures specified in the Constitution and parliament regulations on the appointment and dismissal of posts. He added that the speaker also holds no authority by Constitution or parliament law to make any changes to a decision after it is passed by the parliament majority.