MDP MPs lock horns in Parliament over utility regulatory bill

MPs belonging to the governing MDP confronted each other verbally inside the Parliament today after a bill regarding the regularization of utility services was introduced to the Parliament. The bill was presented by MP for South Thinadhoo, Abdulla Saneef.

The bill calls for the creation of an authority to regulate basic services provided in the country and outlined the mandate and powers of the body which will arrange, plan and implement general policies and services as well as take action against those that violate the laws and regulations pertaining to it.

The main areas of focus by the body will be regarding electricity, water, and waste management.

MPs debated the bill today. Several MPs of the governing MDP clashed with each other today, making accusations at each other while also criticizing the bill.

One of the first who criticized the bill was MP Ibrahim Rasheed of Central Maafannu.

MP Ibrahim Rasheed stated that the current bill was not according to the Agenda 19 manifesto of MDP and would see powers granted to councils under the decentralization laws narrowed, while the affairs of the islands would be left with a minister in the capital.

“The bill has a red tape. Centralizing the powers back to Male’ again. Controlling the water and sewerage of the country again, by appointing ministers and officials of institutions to the board of the utility authority that is formed.” said MP Ibrahim Rasheed.

He also stated that ministers should be clear on the fact that MDP has a manifesto, and that the people voted for that manifesto. He noted the advantages of the utility companies introduced during the administration of President Nasheed and lamented the fact that the currently proposed bill was targeted to centralize the powers, which must not be allowed, according to the MP.

The MP was then interrupted by Hanimaadhoo MP Abdul Ghafoor Moosa who raised a point of order to state that MP Ibrahim Rasheed was speaking completely against what was in the proposed bill.

“This is a regulatory body, not an enforcement body. So, I want to clarify whether the MP has read the bill correctly,” said MP Abdul Ghafoor.

MP Ibrahim Rasheed then responded by saying that MPs who begged ministers and tried to gain unfair advantages cannot digest what he was saying. The MP went on to say that he would never fall at the feet of a minister and that it was not in his personality to flatter the president and ministers.

“The work to establish a regulatory authority body is to provide services such as drinking water and sewerage services to everyone equally. The Maldives is an archipelago. We are talking about new dawn (Rahvehi Fathis).” said the MP.

MP for South Henveiru Hussain Shameem also commented that MP Ibrahim Rasheed had not read the bill correctly and was speaking in a manner that would deceive the public.

Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla then stated that it was at the discretion of the MPs to speak truthfully or in a manner to mislead.

North Thinadhoo MP Abdul Mughny speaking after the deputy speaker stated that the purpose of the bill must be to empower the different areas of the country and that the bill was currently targeted at centralizing to Male’ and officials in Male’ would have the power to decide the prices of utilities in other islands. The MP stated his hope that amendments to rectify this would be brought to the bill later on.

MP Mughny and MP Rasheed were joined by Kanditheemu MP Abdulla Shaheem Abdul Hakeem who also criticized the bill and stated that it currently allowed an official in Male’ to decide on the regulatory measures of islands.

Ihavandhoo MP Mohamed Shifaau stated that the authority’s only purpose must not be to set the price of the services but also to ensure that services are provided without interruptions. He also stated that the council must be involved in the operations of providing services.

“The minister or board members in the cold room of Male’ city would not know whether services in the islands are provided.” said the MP.

Milandhoo MP Ali Riza then stated that infusing the bill to the decentralization laws of the country was better than passing it as a separate law.

He stated that if not, it would be like hiring a watcher to monitor another watcher.

MP Hussain Shameem then took a point of order against this comment and stated that the bill did not call for hiring a watcher to monitor another watcher, and once again called on MPs to read the bill carefully before speaking.

The deputy speaker then commented that today was a day of advice delivered from MPs to others.

“I also agree, to read the bill carefully in addition to the heading.” said the deputy speaker.

MP Riza then shot back at MP Hussain after the point of order and said that it was not up to MP Hussain to decide on what he was going to speak about.

“North Henveiru MP does not decide on what I want to speak about. I am a representative of the Milandhoo people sent to the Parliament to express the concerns of the people,” said MP Riza.

A point of order by Kanditheemu MP was then taken. The MP stated that the chance to speak must be provided in the parliament. He was interrupted by the deputy speaker who stated that everyone would get equal opportunity to speak.

Kaashidhoo MP Abdulla Jabir speaking next stated that it was disheartening to see MDP “brothers fighting.”

In the parliament, as MPs were speaking today, other MPs could be heard berating each other loudly.