Bill to remove AG Office from civil service rejected despite PNC MPs debating in favor

The bill proposing to remove the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) from civil service and grant it greater autonomy was rejected by the Parliament on Wednesday and subsequently sent back to the Judiciary Committee.

The AGO bill was rejected by the votes of 77 MPs. Only three MPs voted to pass the legislature: Thoddoo MP Hussain Sameer who represents opposition MDP, Hulhudhoo MP Mohamed Shahid who represents ruling PNC and Addu Meedhoo MP Mohamed Shahid who was elected independently.

Once the bill was rejected, a vote was asked on whether to send back the bill to the Judiciary Committee.

70 MPs voted in favor of sending the bill back to the Committee. While no lawmaker voted against the matter, two MDP lawmakers abstained from voting: South Hulhumale’ MP Dr. Ahmed Shamheed and Keyodhoo MP Mohamed Niushad.

The government-backed bill was submitted by ruling PNC’s South Maafannu MP Abdulla Rifau.

Notably, PNC lawmakers had debated in favor of the bill today itself. However, it is unclear why the bill was rejected and sent back to the Committee.

Meanwhile, opposition MDP alleges that efforts to remove AGO from civil service stem from the intention to politically influence the authority.

According to the government, the purpose of the bill is “to establish a designated government institution in the name of the Attorney General’s Office that is separate from the Maldivian civil service in order to execute the responsibilities and duties mandated of the Attorney General.”

As per the bill, the staff of the AGO will be distributed into two categories; legal service and administrative service. Their salaries will be determined by the Finance Ministry in accordance with the policies formulated by the National Pay Commission.

The bill also allows the option of enrolling AGO’s staff in an appropriate health insurance scheme.

The AGO bill also details the requirements, responsibilities and duties required of the Attorney General. As well as the responsibilities of the AGO, and the responsibilities of the staff and the standards they need to adhere to.