South Galolhu MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem has criticised Baarah MP Ibrahim Shujau for saying that the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) shares former President Mohamed Nasheed’s views opposing the introduction of homeschooling and other remarks made by Nasheed.
During the debate regarding the bill on submitted by Huraa Constituency MP Dr. Anara Naeem to amend the Education Act to introduce provisions for home-schooling, Shujau said that MDP will always oppose any bill in the governing of Maldives if it is something they do not want and that this is not surprising.
“What we are seeing today are people who believe they should be able to have fun without fear simply because they are told to do so. As a result, if an Education Bill is introduced, they will call it a ‘concubine bill’ or give it some other name,” Shujau said.
"That is something they do not want. They will oppose any amendment that involves stable governance, this is not a surprise."
While responding to Shujau's allegations during today's Parliament sitting, Meekail said he condemns Shujau's statements in reference to MDP and that the party is not an individual.
"Honorable Speaker, MDP is not one individual. MDP is a party of the public. Honorable Speaker, we have proven this during MDP's National Council last night," Meekail said.
He gestured to the resolution that was passed during MDP's National Council last night, opposing Nasheed's opinions. Nasheed also expressed support for the "Maldives Waterfront and Marina" project last night, which the Maldivian government has decided to award to United Arab Emirates (UAE) company Eagle Hills in managing Rasmale'. The resolution passed by MDP's National Council reads that a protest will be held if the government does not honor the public's call for a referendum vote regarding the project.
Nasheed has opposed the bill to amend the Education Act to introduce provisions for home-schooling, and describes it as a "concubine bill". Meekail also opposes the bill even though he expressed concern over People's National Congress (PNC) MP Shujau's comments MDP reflects Nasheed's opinions on the bill and other matters.
During today's Parliament sitting, Meekail alleged that the government submitted the bill to Parliament in order to suppress talks about the Rasmale' project. He alleged that the second purpose of submitting the bill is to silence a religious organization.
