MP Falah: It wasn’t the government that proposed seizing council land

Ibrahim Falah, the top parliamentarian from the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), says that the new bill seeking to grant the central government greater powers to seize land the jurisdiction of local councils to run projects wasn’t sent by the government.

The bill, which proposes introducing new provisions to the Decentralization Act, was submitted to the Parliament on August 5 by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakr, an independent aligned with the ruling party. Hannan, who faced backlash last year when he submitted a contentious media bill that replaced a self-regulatory media system with a government-controlled commission, once again faces allegations of being used by the PNC administration as a cover to introduce controversial legal amendments.

Hannan’s newest bill was accepted into the Parliament for consideration on Monday with a majority vote of 55-8.

The presentation of the bill earlier on Monday had prompted Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir, a lawmaker from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) who sits right next to Hannan, to launch into immediate protest.

“This bill is unconstitutional,” chanted Mauroof.

He attempted to raise a point of order, but was denied by Deputy Speaker Ahmed Saleem (Redwave Saleem), who was presiding over the sitting at the time.

Hannan continued presenting the bill amid loud protests by Mauroof.

Mauroof finally got his chance to speak during debate time.

He characterized the bill as one submitted by the government through an independent lawmaker in a preplanned and deliberate attempt to “destroy” the decentralized system of governance in the country.

“This amendment brings an end to all powers afforded to councils through the decentralized system. Honorable Speaker, the councils will have nothing to do except to manage records of births and deaths,” he said.

Mauroof described it as an attempt to undermine the constitution.

Falah interrupted Mauroof’s speech with a point of order, declaring that all parliamentarians, whether party members or independents, have the right to submit bills.

He said that calling an independent’s bill as one submitted by the government was clear grounds to raise a point of order.

“This bill wasn’t sent by the government,” said Falah, as the power to his mic was cut.

Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla, who took over from Saleem right at that moment, said that it does not constitute to a point of order.

Taking over land and lagoons under the jurisdiction of local councils currently requires a presidential decree.

But Hannan’s bill proposes granting the cabinet the power to take over land and lagoons.

It states that land and lagoons will be removed from the jurisdiction of councils and transferred under the full control of the state once the cabinet makes such decisions, and the Local Government Authority (LGA) informs councils of it.

It also states that councils will be required to hand over land to the LGA upon request of the central government when seeking land to run projects.

The bill is also designed to prohibit councilors from acting, without a justifiable reason, in a manner that hinders planned government projects, or making any decision that could obstruct such projects.

The new bill comes amid complaints from top government officials over lack of cooperation from some councils for planned projects, including refusal to hand over land.

It also follows controversial amendments to the Decentralization Act last year that curtailed the power of councils to recruit new staff and lease land, lagoons and reefs under their jurisdiction close to council elections.

The bill has sparked an e-petition, demanding Hannan to withdraw it. The petition has gathered over 670 signatures.