Male' Maldives.
President Nasheed has again wielded his military to attack opposition MPs, this time on the Parliament floor while the parliament was in session. Media reports are streaming in that military personnel are active inside the parliament hall, forcibly removing opposition members from the hall. Some opposition MPs are reported to leaving on their own, under orders from the military personnel to either leave the parliament floor or be removed with the use of force.
Today's Parliament session to debate the various loans proposed by the Nasheed Government was halted due to points of order taken by opposing MPs. Opposition MPs noted that the parliament session on the topic (Government loans) was proceeding out of order as the session period had expired. They pointed out that the legal process for extending the session was for a member to proposed the extension and for another to support it. However, this process had not been followed, with the Speaker of Parliament Abdulla Shahid informing members that he had extended the session time on his own.
The real point of dissent however was the evident fact that the motion tabled by the Government was about to be passed together with support from opposition DRP MPs. Speaker of Parliament Abdulla Shahid is a DRP member and close business partner of DRP Leader Thasmeen Ali. Rumours have been rife in past months of political deals struck between Thasmeen Ali and President Nasheed, the evidence of this appearing in several Parliament votes in which DRP MPs voting in favor of the Government.
Media reports that the Star Force has been deployed to the Parliament. Public protesters against Nasheed are reportedly gathering in front of the Parliament Building.
These events come on a day in which Nasheed's Finance Minister and State Minister for Finance have both resigned, reasons for which have not yet been reported.
In additional events today, Nasheed has ordered the closure of all spas in the country.
More updates coming up.
President Nasheed has again wielded his military to attack opposition MPs, this time on the Parliament floor while the parliament was in session. Media reports are streaming in that military personnel are active inside the parliament hall, forcibly removing opposition members from the hall. Some opposition MPs are reported to leaving on their own, under orders from the military personnel to either leave the parliament floor or be removed with the use of force.
Today's Parliament session to debate the various loans proposed by the Nasheed Government was halted due to points of order taken by opposing MPs. Opposition MPs noted that the parliament session on the topic (Government loans) was proceeding out of order as the session period had expired. They pointed out that the legal process for extending the session was for a member to proposed the extension and for another to support it. However, this process had not been followed, with the Speaker of Parliament Abdulla Shahid informing members that he had extended the session time on his own.
The real point of dissent however was the evident fact that the motion tabled by the Government was about to be passed together with support from opposition DRP MPs. Speaker of Parliament Abdulla Shahid is a DRP member and close business partner of DRP Leader Thasmeen Ali. Rumours have been rife in past months of political deals struck between Thasmeen Ali and President Nasheed, the evidence of this appearing in several Parliament votes in which DRP MPs voting in favor of the Government.
Media reports that the Star Force has been deployed to the Parliament. Public protesters against Nasheed are reportedly gathering in front of the Parliament Building.
These events come on a day in which Nasheed's Finance Minister and State Minister for Finance have both resigned, reasons for which have not yet been reported.
In additional events today, Nasheed has ordered the closure of all spas in the country.
More updates coming up.