Five MDP MPs cautioned for going against whipline

Maldives Democratic Party’s (MDP) parliamentary group has taken action against the five parliamentarians representing the party at the People’s Majlis for going against the three-line whip issued by the group to dismiss High Court Judge Abdulla Hameed.

MDP’s parliamentary group leader Mohamed Aslam told Sun that the five members were cautioned today, in accordance with the parliamentary group’s regulations.

The five members that were cautioned for against the whip are South Maafannu MP Adam Ali, South Thinadhoo MP Abdulla Saneef, Vilufushi MP Hassan Afeef, North Fuvamulah MP Mohamed Rasheed and Kanditheemu MP Shaheem Abdul Hakeem.

“Will take action as per regulations if whip lines are violated. Being cautioned, demanding an apology, halting some of the benefits entitled as a member of the party, not being allowed to contest in party’s internal elections for a year – and the last action we would take being expulsion from the party,” he detailed.

Aslam stressed that they will not shy away from taking action even if violations come from a high-ranking MDP member.

MDP’s parliamentary group issued the three-line whip to dismiss High Court Judge Abdulla Hameed in response to a request by Judicial Service Commission (JSC) for parliamentary approval to dismiss Judge Hameed and Judge Abdul Rauf Ibrahim.

JSC said an investigation found the judges violated 152 of the Constitution by accepting flats granted as a direct incentive from the government, without any involvement of the Parliament.

The commission said their actions were in violation of the constitution, and the code of conduct for judges.

Parliament voted in favor of dismissing Judge Hameed on last week’s Monday.