In an exchange of angry words on the Majlis floor today, ruling Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) prominent member Mohamed “Colonel” Nasheed has warned his colleague, and also MDP Member, Ali Waheed not to forget his level.
Nasheed, MP for Nolhivaram Constituency and Ali Waheed, MP for Thoddu Constituency had a row on the Majlis floor during the debate on the Report of the National Security Committee of the Majlis about the issue of lending Maldivian troops to the UN Peace Keeping Forces.
When MDP Parliamentary Group Leader gave Colonel the chance to speak, Ali Waheed objected saying that it was against the Rules of Procedure. The Speaker responded to the objection by cancelling the chance given to Colonel, who became angry due to the decision.
According to the Rules of Procedure, chance to speak would be given to one member from each political party and one independent member. Today’s turn of speaking was set at five minutes, and when the Member from MDP had spoken, the five minutes had not passed, and as such, Ibrahim Mohamed Salih, MDP’s Parliamentary Group Leader gave Colonel leave to complete the remaining time for MDP. That was when Ali Waheed raised a point of order and said that Colonel could not speak as it was against the Rules.
An angry Colonel said that while Ali Waheed had brought a highly insufficient report to the Majlis, there was no need to try and hide his incapacity. Colonel also asked Ali Waheed not to meddle with the chances of speaking given on the Majlis floor to other members.
“We do not have to break the rules in order to hide his incapability. In reality, many decisions of the Committee on National Security were made only after Ali Waheed conducted debate on the matter for just 25 minutes. Providing troops for UN Peace Keeping Forces is mandatory for nations which pass the level of least developed nations. However, that fact has not been considered here”, said Colonel.
Replying to Colonel, Ali Waheed said he would not allow anyone to break the rules of the Majlis. “The Majlis meetings shall be conducted in accord with the Rules, and that won’t change no matter how disappointed Colonel is about it. Nothing shall be done here against the Rules”, said Ali Waheed.