"MPs considered worthless next to ministers": PPM lawmaker pours out woes

Lawmaker of Iguraidhoo constituency Ibrahim Falah expressed his dissatisfaction over lawmakers being viewed as "worthless" while ministers are regarded as superior.

In a message posted on the Viber group chat of ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)’s parliamentary group, MP Falah said in ire that he has come to realize the difference with which cabinet ministers and lawmakers are viewed in the Maldives. He described the ministers are seen as superior while lawmakers are held inferior to them.

Though he did not mention the reason behind his messages, MP Falah's distress is assumed to have been caused because lawmakers were not invited to some of the official events held to celebrate the arrival of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is visiting the Maldives to attend the Independence Day celebrations.

MP Falah pointed out that lawmakers are restricted to enter some premises by foot, while ministers are allowed to enter in their official cars.

Replying to Falah’s messages, lawmaker of Gahdhoo constituency Ahmed Rasheed added that if all the discriminatory actions against lawmakers are unveiled, they may "lose their minds". Agreeing with the comment, Falah said that it is better to stay silent.

As practiced earlier, all MP’s of the government coalition were not invited to the events held to welcome the Prime Minister.

Moreover, Falah who is the Deputy PG leader of PPM, was not spotted among the top officials of ruling coalition's PG group at the official reception held for PM Nawaz at Kurumba Maldives Resort on Tuesday night.

MP Falah, who shares a close relation with President Abdulla Yameen and First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim, also stated that lawmakers have been struggling day and night in front of the citizens.

While some lawmakers confirmed that the leaked chat logs are real, MP Falah has countered that they are fake.

Several disputes have recently arisen among the PPM lawmakers and a number of MPs have already joined the opposition. Furthermore, PPM has also lost its majority in Parliament with 10 MP’s signing the opposition coalition's motion of no confidence against Parliament Speaker Abdulla Maseeh.