MDP accuses PNC of trying to force minority MPs into low priority committees, sparking floor protest

The MDP Parliamentary Group on Wednesday protested inside the Parliament after PNC Parliamentary Group Leader Ibrahim Falah allegedly told them they must accept whatever committee slots the ruling party assigns.

MDP Parliamentary Group Leader and South Hithadhoo MP Ibrahim Nazil, along with eight other MDP lawmakers, were named and expelled from the Parliament floor. The members are:  

• South Hithadhoo MP Ibrahim Nazil  

• Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir  

• Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad (Fitte)  

• Thoddoo MP Hussain Sameer  

• Hanimaadhoo MP Abdul Ghafoor Moosa (Gapo)  

• Maradhoo MP Ahmed Didi (Pele)  

• Keyodhoo MP Mohamed Niushad  

• Kanditheemu MP Ameen Faisal  

• North Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu)

Speaking at a press conference held in front of the Parliament Secretariat, MDP’s Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir said North Hithadhoo MP Abdulla Sodiq had not been given a place on any committee since he was sworn in two weeks ago.

“The PNC parliamentary group leader rudely told us to take whatever they hand out and sit on the committee they choose. We protested that on the floor, and that is why we were removed,” he said.

Mauroof said the MDP wants Sodiq to be given seats on two committees with the fewest members.

Nazil said PNC members had told them Sodiq would be given “good committees” after observing his work in Parliament. He said he had raised the matter with the Speaker and the Secretary‑General Fathimath Niusha.

“Two weeks have passed, and the most important work of this Parliament is done in committees. Every morning we leave the chamber at 11am without being able to participate in any constructive work because of this,” Nazil said.

He said the PNC wants to place Sodiq only on low‑activity committees such as the Petition Committee and the Privileges and Ethics Committee.

Nazil said the MDP, as the minority, needs fairer opportunities in committee work, and that giving more space to the opposition would not harm the PNC.

He added that the PNC had agreed on Tuesday to give Sodiq seats on the Independent Institutions Committee and the Environment Committee, as previously held by former North Hithadhoo MP Mohamed Sinan. The PNC had said the appointments would be made before Wednesday’s sitting, but did not follow through, he said.