Deputy Speaker Ahmed Saleem (Redwave Saleem) said today that even now, members of the public describe the parliament as being akin to an animal pen or a goat pen. He asserted that he would not allow parliament to sink to that level while he presides over sittings. 

An argument took place in today's parliament sitting between Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad (Fittey) and some PNC MPs. Following this, Saleem repeatedly cautioned the MPs to respect parliament regulations. 

Ziyad, however, continued to protest loudly, leading to the Deputy Speaker announcing his name and having him removed from the floor. 

Following this, Saleem said that MPs should work with sincerity, honesty and patience in parliament, and that they should all have those qualities. Failure to do so has led the public to criticize parliament as being like a goat pen, Saleem said. 

"So let us not stoop to this level. I will not allow parliament to be turned into an animal pen while I am presiding over a sitting," Saleem said. 

The disagreements between Ziyad and PNC MPs arose after an emergency motion he submitted regarding the transfer of waste from Thilafushi to HDh. Kumburudhoo was rejected. 

Once the motion was rejected, Ziyad proceeded to speak of the issue in the debate on the Utility Regulatory Bill.