Parliament accepts MP's motion on being denied access to Special Needs Centre

The Parliament has today accepted the motion submitted by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP for North Galolhu (Mohamed Ibrahim) raising concerns about being denied access to the Special Needs Centre in K. Guraidhoo.

The matter has now been forwarded for review by the Parliament's Committee on Members' Privileges and Ethics.

MP Ibrahim applied to the Health Ministry for permission to enter the Special Needs Centre in April, to conduct a report on the centre's condition. However, he failed to receive a response to the letter sent addressed to Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim.

Initially, MP Ibrahim submitted the case to the committee yesterday, which rejected it. He then raised the matter on the parliament floor today, at which point a vote was taken on debating the matter. 55 members voted in favour of accepting the motion.

In the debate, ruling People's National Congress (PNC) Parliamentary Group Leader Ibrahim Falah said that the matter needs to be properly reviewed. Hence, he proposed that it be forwarded to the committee.

63 members voted in favour of forwarding the motion to the Committee on Members' Privileges and Ethics for review. There were no votes against.

As per the Parliamentary Privileges and Powers Act, if a MP visits a government office or State institution, they must be granted cooperation and assistance in what they aim to do. Arrangements should also be made to provide them with requested information at the earliest.

MP Ibrahim claims that the ministry's failure to respond to his letter appears to be a breach of the Parliamentary Privileges and Powers Act.