Presidential Address Concluded, After Halting Due to Protest by Opposition MPs
Photo: MDP
The first session of the first parliamentary term of 2025 concluded today, after halting momentarily due to protests by opposition members when President Dr Mohamed Muizzu started his address.
According to Article 84 of the Maldivian constitution, the President has to address the nation on the first session of the first parliamentary term each year. When Muizzu started his address, the floor was not silent as opposition members protested his speech, until Speaker Abdulraheem Abdulla had to remind the members to maintain decorum during the Presidential address.
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He reminded the members that if they did not maintain decorum, he would have to ask them to leave the parliament.
Our MPs have joined the protestors outside Parliament.#QAgeDhifaaugai #MajilisMinivankurey #RayithungeBaaruRayithunah pic.twitter.com/7LgfWGQYge— MDP Secretariat (@MDPSecretariat) February 6, 2025
Despite the warning by the Speaker, opposition members did not quieten or maintain decorum. President Muizzu attempted to resume his speech until Speaker Abdulraheem requested him to halt for a moment, and started calling out names of MPs that could no longer stay.
Parliamentarians who had to leave the hall:
- Meekail Ahmed Nasym, MP for Galohu Dhekunu constituency
- Abdul Gafooru Moosa, MP for Hanimaadhoo constituency
- Hussain Ziyadh, MP Vaikaradhoo constituency
- Mohamed Niushad, MP for Keyodhoo constituency
- Ahmed Didi, MP for Maradhoo constituency
- Mauroof Zakir, Kendhoo constituency
- Hussain Sameer, Thoddoo constituency
Opposition members shouted “The President would say he didn’t know later,” as they justified their protest. Some of the placards the parliamentarians held had statements calling out his tax increases, calling him a liar, and criticising his housing policies as well.
All seven members that left the hall were from the opposition party, the Maldives Democratic Party (MDP).
After the members were escorted out of the hall, President Muizzu resumed his address. He talked about the state of the country and the things his administration achieved since assuming office in 2023, such as introducing the Zakat House and showing pathways for those registered on the poverty registry.
