MDP in Shameem’s defense: Dismissed by political influence

Main opposition MDP has condemned the ruling party’s decision to dismiss Hussain Shameem, who had been serving as the Prosecutor General.

The final floor vote on the no-confidence motion submitted against Shameem was scheduled for 21:00pm tonight. Shameem tendered his resignation shortly after the sitting commenced. However, the ruling PNC-dominated Parliament, after confirming Shameem’s resignation letter was not received by the President’s Office, voted to dismiss him from the post.

MDP released a statement condemning the dismissal in which they stated that the Judiciary Committee meeting held to hear Shameem’s response to the no-confidence motion was held in violation of the Parliament’s standing orders.

In this trajectory, the party said a parliamentary committee meeting can only be held behind closed doors if it falls within the grounds stipulated under the Parliament’s standing orders to declare a committee meeting confidential.

MDP accused the Committee’s chairperson of declaring the meeting confidential without befalling any grounds stipulated in Article 46 of the Parliament’s standing orders. It was also noted that the reason behind declaring the Judiciary Committee’s report on Shameem’s dismissal was unclear.

Thursday’s committee meeting was held behind closed doors against the wishes of Shameem, who had asked for a public hearing regarding the allegations made against him by ruling PNC lawmakers.

Henceforth, MDP described the sudden decision to hold the Committee meeting behind closed doors in violation of the Parliament’s standing orders as a hasty decision made behind closed doors contrary to democratic rules by disregarding due process.