MP Azim: Not trying to jeopardize govt; do not how the topic of impeachment came about

The Democrats’ parliamentary group leader, Central Henveiru MP Ali Azim has refuted President Muizzu, affirming no intention to jeopardize the legitimate government in place, claimed he is unaware of how the topic of impeachment had come about, and from whom.

President Muizzu, in a strongly worded message to the opposition on Saturday night, attributed actions intended to jeopardize a legitimate administration, with disregard for the nation, to treason against the Maldivian state and people.

The topic of impeachment of the president and the vice president had come about after the parliament’s General Purpose Committee, on Thursday, greenlighted an amendment proposed by MP Azim to the parliament’s regulations which eases the process of impeaching the president and the vice president.

Speaking with Sun on Sunday, MP Azim, noting continuous discussions are held with the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party, said he is unaware of how the topic of impeachment had come about, and from whom.

“The president might feel that way [trying to jeopardize]. The nation is put first in every matter. If things are going the wrong way, will undertake all efforts to switch it to the right direction,” he said.

MP Azim, underscoring that continuous discussions are always held with political parties, said there no anger towards any party.

“Will remain steadfast in submitting amendments to the People’s Majlis. However, this time, the amendment came at the wrong time,” he said.

He reiterated that there was no intention to impeach.

“I don’t know who said this. Who started this. Did anyone say they are going to do this?” he questioned.

Azim proposed amendments to articles 202 and 203 of the parliament’s regulations which are as follows;

• Giving 14-day notice of the motion to the president or the vice president within two days, and tabling the motion for the first working day after the expiration of the notice period
• Allocating a maximum of three hours for the debate on the impeachment motion
• Decreasing the number of members on the committee the motion needs to be forwarded to after the floor passes the impeachment motion from 11 to four
• Omitting the requirement that all political parties will need to be represented in the committee

Although the committee has approved the amendments, they are yet to be submitted to the floor.

If the amendments are approved, the president and the vice president can be easily impeached by MDP, which holds of the supermajority in the parliament.

The current composition of the parliament is as follows;

• MDP – 56 MPs
• The Democrats – 13 MPs
• PPM – 2 MPs
• PNC – 2 MPs
• Jumhoory Party – 2 MPs
• MDA – 2 MPs
• Independent – 2 MPs

Reasons an impeachment motion can be initiated against the president or the vice president are as follows;

• Violation of the tenet Islamic religion
• Violation of the constitution
• Misconduct unsuited to the office of the president or the vice president
• Incapacity in undertaking the responsibilities of the president or the vice president

No Maldivian president has been impeached to date. However, two vice presidents were impeached during PPM’s first administration.