Ethics Committee Moves to Charge Three MPs Over Broken Microphone
The Parliament’s Committee on Independent Institutions reviews the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill. | Photo: People’s majlis
Parliament’s Ethics Committee has resolved to bring charges against three members of the People’s Majlis over the alleged damaging of a microphone during a heated sitting on 15 September.
The incident occurred in a meeting of the Committee on Independent Institutions while it was reviewing the new media regulation bill. Tensions rose when Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir of the MDP began to speak. Hussain Imran Latheef, the PNC member for Henveiru South, attempted to seize the microphone, arguing that a non-member of the committee could not take the floor. Hussain Sameer, the MDP MP for Thoddoo, intervened to stop Imran. The microphone was damaged during the scuffle.
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The Speaker subsequently referred the matter to the Ethics Committee for review. At today’s sitting, Madaveli MP Mohamed Shameez proposed that officials obtain the replacement cost of the microphone and recover it from those found responsible. The motion passed by a committee majority.
Separately, the committee is investigating the conduct of journalists who protested during the review meeting. The issue was forwarded by the Speaker of Parliament for examination.
