Nizar faces criticism for post shared without submitting financial statement

Following media reports that North Feydhoo MP Ismail Nizar is amongst MPs who had not submitted financial statements despite the deadline having passed, Nizar took to social media with his discontent, where he said that media control bill needs to be passed at the earliest. 

This statement met with heavy public criticism. 

As per parliament regulations, MPs are stipulated to submit financial statements within one year of taking oath of office. This deadline for current MPs was reached on August 31. 

The official parliament website lists the names of MPs who have submitted their financial statements. As per this, five MPs have failed to submit financial statements within this period, which includes Nizar. 

When media reported about the MPs' financial statements, Nizar posted on Facebook saying this is not the first time that MPs' financial statements have been published. He stated that it raises the question why 'more attention is being given to current statements' than has been given before. 

Nizar found issue with media naming MPs who had not submitted financial statements before the parliament has announced any action that will be taken against them. 

"The parliament, under set policies, will take necessary action against MPs who fail to comply with regulations. While the parliament has not taken any such action, nor issued any statements about it, I condemn media making lists and publishing news in a way that misleads the public," Nizar wrote. 

Nizar called for the media bill to be passed at the earliest, saying it is necessary to do so even if through holding an extraordinary sitting. 

Nizar's comments, made without having submitted his financial statement as required, were met with widespread criticism. This criticism came from both journalists and his constituents. In the face of this, Nizar changed the visibility of his post from public to close friends alone. 

Many who commented on the post asked him the reason for not having submitted his financial statement. 

Commenters pointed out that media has always reported on financial statements of elected officials. Some questioned Nizar if he was unaware of what the law says regarding financial statements. 

The financial statements published by parliament yesterday show that some MPs have received what they claim are 'gifts' of up to MVR 1 million, while others report that their accounts have less than MVR 500.