MDP stages demonstration outside Housing Ministry

Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has staged a protest outside the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure citing failure to meet Minister Dr Abdulla Muththalib despite repeated requests. 

MDP's parliament members have also joined the protest alongside party supporters. 

Despite several requests, Minister Muththalib has yet to appear before parliament, Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir stated. He said that MDP's parliamentary group has also requested a meeting with the minister, but three months have passed without a meeting being scheduled. 

"If we MPs are being treated like this, you can imagine what the response will be to members of the public," Zakir said. 

Zakir said that they had requested to meet the minister to discuss housing, land reclamation projects and halted projects in the MPs' respective constituencies. 

Mauroof said that they had then gone to Dharubaaruge, out of which the ministry currently operates, and had still failed to meet with either the Minister of any political appointees. 

Zakir said that some members of the public had entered the ministry seeking responses to letters they had sent, which remain unanswered. 

"There are some members of the public in there as well who have been waiting for three for months in vain for a response to letters," Zakir said. 

He said that they had been unable to meet any senior ministry officials despite waiting there for over half an hour, and were later informed that no senior officials were present. 

Zakir emphasized the need to correct the government's course, adding that the country cannot afford to retain 'arrogant' leadership. 

In parallel with Zakir's remarks, MDP's National Council resolved on September 1 to launch a major protest on October 3, to be followed by ongoing demonstrations aimed at steering the government back on track.