Members of Parliament have raised concerns that they face difficulties in entering Velana International Airport premises in their private cars to disembark at the entrance to the VIP Lounge.

The General Purpose Committee of the parliament is currently reviewing these complaints. In their efforts to address this matter, the committee has conferred with the Member Services and Protocol leaders in Wednesday's meeting.

Most of the committee's work on the matter are conducted in closed meetings.

Parliament Assistant Secretary General Mohamed Rasheed confirmed in yesterday's meeting that such complaints have been received, and noted that discussions need to be held with Maldivian Airports Company Limited (MACL) and Police to seek a remedy for the issue.

"I also believe it is important to provide parking facilities or parking security there for the members. For example, others (government leaders) have easier access," he said.

"If MPs are going, then things are organized in a way to hinder things for them," he alleged.

He recommended using a special parking sticker on cars that belong to MPs to resolve this issue.

Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb, however, objected to this recommendation.

Ilyas stated that while he is in favour of easing access to airport premises for MPs' cars, he does not believe it is acceptable to park cars of MPs and government leaders in high security or restricted areas of the airport.

Ilyas said that such an action would present difficulties to work in the airport and may present a hassle to the public and tourists.

Responding to Ilyas, Rasheed clarified that his recommendation was to allow parking in the designated areas with a special sticker, and to facilitate ease of access to the VIP Lounge entrance during pick up and drop off times.

Other MPs within the committee also agreed with Rasheed's recommendation. The committee decided on reconvening after the Majlis Secretariat meets with MACL and Police and discusses solutions.