Members of the People’s Majlis should not attempt to obstruct the manifesto pledges of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and any such obstruction will construed as opposing the will of the people, foreign minister of President Nasheed’s government Dr. Ahmed Shaheed has said.
In an exclusive interview given to foreign minister Shaheed said the people of Maldives elected the government of the Alliance after due consideration to the 5 pledges of the MDP manifesto and that while it is the incumbent government’s policy to honor its manifesto pledges, Majlis members has absolutely no right to cause any obstruction.
“In my opinion there should no obstruction from the Majlis, what so ever , to the full implementation of the manifesto pledges of the ruling MDP, in actual fact, the people elected the government of the Alliance after carefully considering the 5 pledges of the MDP, the 5 pledges are a condition on which the people elected this government, no member has any right to be of any obstruction to the will of the people” said Dr. Shaheed who was the running mate of the Independent Presidential Candidate Dr. Hassan Saeed in the first round of 2008 presidential elections.
He further said all members of the Majlis, whether they are from Gaumee Party, DRP or Jumhoory Party must support and cooperate with the government to honor its pledges to the people. Speaking further he said it is not absolutely mandatory that the ruling party gets a Majlis majority in the forthcoming parliamentary elections.
“Members of the Majlis which ever they party they subscribe to, must accept the fact the people of this country elected this government on condition it fulfilled its manifesto pledges, so even members are from Gaumee Party, DRP or even Jumhoory Party, they must all support government efforts fulfill the pledges, having said that, as such Majlis majority for the government is not required to fulfill its pledges” said Shaheed.
Foreign Minister Shaheed further said during the ongoing 5 year term and in the next 5 years, the foundation of democracy must be laid securely in manner that it will continue to be in place for millenniums to come. He said during this period, it is vital for People’s Majlis, the judiciary and the independent commissions and offices to function freely and independently with the influence of the government and that while the most important work of the Majlis is to watch and hold the accountable and responsible, the Majlis must be able to exert its authority and establish its independence.
“In order to facilitate this, the Majlis should have members outside ruling party, it is vital to establish a strong foundation for the democracy and it can only be done if the Majlis remain independent and is able to exert its authority and influence on the government, Majlis should be an institution that is established to say “ yes” to the government, I , on previous occasions have accused the Majlis of being a rubber stamp to former President Gayoom” said Shaheed, who was a foreign minister during the previous administration.
He said if the Majlis were to maintain the government, then it will not be able to protect the rights of the people fully. In a democracy the rights and freedom of the people can only fully guaranteed if the Majlis is able to exert its authority on the government.
“On 18 August 2007, the people of the country voted to establish a presidential system of government, the Majlis and the government has to learn that they are separate entities and should not exert undue influence, if they are act otherwise the concept of separation of powers and independence is lost, as the President Nasheed has said the best way to protect the rights of the people is through a competitive multi party system of governance” Dr Shaheed said.
In an exclusive interview given to foreign minister Shaheed said the people of Maldives elected the government of the Alliance after due consideration to the 5 pledges of the MDP manifesto and that while it is the incumbent government’s policy to honor its manifesto pledges, Majlis members has absolutely no right to cause any obstruction.
“In my opinion there should no obstruction from the Majlis, what so ever , to the full implementation of the manifesto pledges of the ruling MDP, in actual fact, the people elected the government of the Alliance after carefully considering the 5 pledges of the MDP, the 5 pledges are a condition on which the people elected this government, no member has any right to be of any obstruction to the will of the people” said Dr. Shaheed who was the running mate of the Independent Presidential Candidate Dr. Hassan Saeed in the first round of 2008 presidential elections.
He further said all members of the Majlis, whether they are from Gaumee Party, DRP or Jumhoory Party must support and cooperate with the government to honor its pledges to the people. Speaking further he said it is not absolutely mandatory that the ruling party gets a Majlis majority in the forthcoming parliamentary elections.
“Members of the Majlis which ever they party they subscribe to, must accept the fact the people of this country elected this government on condition it fulfilled its manifesto pledges, so even members are from Gaumee Party, DRP or even Jumhoory Party, they must all support government efforts fulfill the pledges, having said that, as such Majlis majority for the government is not required to fulfill its pledges” said Shaheed.
Foreign Minister Shaheed further said during the ongoing 5 year term and in the next 5 years, the foundation of democracy must be laid securely in manner that it will continue to be in place for millenniums to come. He said during this period, it is vital for People’s Majlis, the judiciary and the independent commissions and offices to function freely and independently with the influence of the government and that while the most important work of the Majlis is to watch and hold the accountable and responsible, the Majlis must be able to exert its authority and establish its independence.
“In order to facilitate this, the Majlis should have members outside ruling party, it is vital to establish a strong foundation for the democracy and it can only be done if the Majlis remain independent and is able to exert its authority and influence on the government, Majlis should be an institution that is established to say “ yes” to the government, I , on previous occasions have accused the Majlis of being a rubber stamp to former President Gayoom” said Shaheed, who was a foreign minister during the previous administration.
He said if the Majlis were to maintain the government, then it will not be able to protect the rights of the people fully. In a democracy the rights and freedom of the people can only fully guaranteed if the Majlis is able to exert its authority on the government.
“On 18 August 2007, the people of the country voted to establish a presidential system of government, the Majlis and the government has to learn that they are separate entities and should not exert undue influence, if they are act otherwise the concept of separation of powers and independence is lost, as the President Nasheed has said the best way to protect the rights of the people is through a competitive multi party system of governance” Dr Shaheed said.
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