Angry brawling stops Majlis Meeting

miadhu
Today's meeting of the People's Majlis was suspended after repeated orders of Speaker Abdullah Shahid did not stop angry brawling among ruling MDP members and opposition DRP members. The quarrel started after Naifaru member Ahmed Mohamed proposed an urgent issue condemning the statement issued by the President's office yesterday informing that the emergency cabinet meeting held yesterday has decided to investigate the reasons of Criminal Court Senior Judge Abdullah Mohamed obstructing an investigation conducted by the Police on the fraud reported in Auditor General's 2008 Report of Bank of Maldives.

President's Office has further stated the decision was reached in view of the fact Police has been instructed to investigate the fraudulent matters found in the Auditor General's report.

In today's meeting after the interval Speaker Shahid allowed Naifaru member Ahmed Mohamed to proceed with his urgent matter and Ahmed said he was very concerned and surprised by the President's Office statement as it is clear interference with the independence of judiciary and violation of the Constitution. Some DRP members spoke to support the proposal and the brawling started when Maavashu member Abdul Azeez Umar Jamal started speaking supporting the proposal. Jamal also criticized the Government's interference. MDP's HulhuHenveyru member Moosa Maniku took point of order several times and angry shouts continued in the chamber while Speaker Shahid repeatedly ordered members to remain calm and respect the rules of procedure. The brawling also turned violent among certain members and Speaker finally announced the meeting was being suspended at 1143.

Our reporter near Majlis has been following developments and has reported large number of people has gathered near the Majlis and angry shouts are continuing. There is a report that Haveeru Managing Editor Hiriga Zahir was attacked by some people in the crowd. There was a large number of police in the area attempting to control the crowd. Some of them are expressing their anger about the manner the meeting was conducted and there were chants calling for the resignation of Speaker Abdulla Shahid and some members.