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Majlis
considers protection bill
MALE: Members of
the People’s Majlis are divided on providing protection,
immunities and privileges to ex presidents as proposed by
Mulaku Atoll member Aneesa Ahmed. At the 13 th sitting of the
third session of the People’s Majlis held on Monday morning
members differed on providing ex presidents with security,
pensions, housing ,office with administrative staff, health
insurance, and allowances to wives of ex presidents as stated
in the bill. During the plenary debate of the Bill, 18 members
spoke on the bill including the proposer Aneesa Ahmed. In
presenting the bill Aneesa expressed the need to amend some
articles of the bill, with the opinions and advise of the
members.
In this regard she pointed out that it would be more
appropriate to amend the article proposing to provide wages of
serving presidents to ex presidents. She suggested the article
be amended to provide a third of the wages of a serving
president to ex presidents.
She also proposed to amend the article on government bearing
the expenses of annual vacations of former presidents to
providing an allowance towards ex presidents’ annual
vacation. She also proposed to amend the article on providing
half of the president’s wages to presidents’ spouses to
providing a third of the ex presidents wages to their spouses.
She further highlighted that providing housing to ex
presidents does not mean providing a Muleeaage or Theemuge but
rather a house maintained by the government so that former
presidents can live their lives with dignity.
Some members during the plenary discussion noted that the bill
was based on a specific former president in mind rather than
other ex presidents or future ex presidents. Raa atoll MP
Shaheed Zaki speaking during the plenary discussions expressed
support for the spirit of the bill, saying that article 128 of
the constitution states that “a person who has served in the
office of President, serving his term of office lawfully
without committing any offense, shall be entitled to the
highest honor, dignity , protection, financial privileges and
other entitled to a person who has served in the highest
office of the land” and that “Such protection and
privileges shall be specified in law”.
Shaheed Zaki proposed to omit article 2 (b) of the proposed
bill stating that it is unacceptable to provides the honor and
status of the serving presidents to ex presidents . He also
proposed to provide a housing allowance of Rf30, 000 rather
than providing a government financed residence. He disagreed
with clause contained in article 6 of the bill on government
bearing the travelling expenses but agreed with providing
security when travelling. Further MP Shaheed also said that it
agreeable to provide administrative staff if ex presidents
required to engage themselves in research work but that
instead of providing 10 staff as stated in the bill, he
proposed to provide 5 staff and also proposed to omit the
article on providing leave to ex presidents as they are no
longer in the service of the government.
Members also criticized the article on providing pension to ex
presidents. They expressed that there is simply no need to
provide to pension to a head of a government which had failed
to provide pensions to the people for the last 30 years.
Thaa member Mohamed Shareef, Hdh member Ahmed Abdulla, Thaa
member Hassan Afeef, Laamu member Moosa Manik, Dhaalu member
ADK Nashid spoke on the bill.
When the chair adjourned the sitting having run out of the
allocated, more were waiting to speak.
Yesterday’s sitting, attended by 39 Members was chaired by
the Speaker of the People’s Majlis, Mr. Mohamed Shihab.
The People’s Majlis will meet again on Tuesday, 18 November
2008.
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Luthfy
to improve education systems
MALE:
Newly appointed Education Minister Dr. Mustafa Luthfy
has yesterday given assurances that the government of
President Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) will make every
effort to further strengthen and improve the school
systems and the quality of education provided.
Minister Luthfy made the statement briefing the media
at Fansavees / Dharubaaruge yesterday.
Mustafa said his ministry will give priority to make
employees working in the education sector one who
assumes responsibility. He assured corrective action
will be taken on all issues arising by not following
this principle. He also said in most countries high
wages and allowances are paid to those serving
education sector and assured that this would be the
case in Maldives in future. Minister also assured that
in future wages of teachers and others engaged in the
sector will be revised and raised to a level where it
will be an incentive to those engaged in the sector to
remain in the sector.
Minister Luthufy also informed that he working on
introducing a system where no student in Maldives will
be deprived from the right to education due negligence
on part of the government and that every effort will
be made to improve the quality of education provided
in Maldives.
Minister also highlighted that various programs will
be undertaken to improve the conduct of the students
and that these programs will be implemented under
various themes through out the year.
Briefing the media Permanent Secretary of Education
Ministry Dr. Aamaal Ali expressed that education is
not only obtained from text books but orderly behavior
and working skills are also education.
When asked about the lack of Quran teachers at some
schools in atolls, Minister replied that he gives
great importance to rectify such issues and necessary
corrective action will be taken.
IDP
preparing for parliamentary election
MALE: Vice President
of Islamic Democratic Party (IDP) Mohamed Hassan has
stated that his party is not criticizing the ruling
Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Alliance government,
as the newly installed government is still in the
process of settling down.
Speaking to Miadhu Daily yesterday Mohamed Hassan said
that IDP activities has been brought to a standstill
as the newly installed government is still in the
process of evolution and that IDP was closely
monitoring the activities of the MD Alliance
government.
“We are holding back our comments as yet, because we
don’t want the people to be affected by the negative
impacts, so we are just waiting cautiously and closely
monitoring the activities of the government” Mohamed
Hassan said.
In response to question why IDP is not seen doing any
political activities, IDP Vice President expressed
that the party was getting ready for the forthcoming
parliamentary elections scheduled for February.
“We are getting ready for the parliamentary
elections scheduled for February next year, we are
seeking to win at least 15 seats” Mohamed Hassan
said.
Asked about the widespread speculations on IDP
registry, Hassan said that they do get complaints on
daily basis and that the party’s action is to submit
these issues directly on a daily basis to the
Elections Commission.
Hassan declined to comment on the recently installed
cabinet, however he expressed that he strongly
believed that MDP Alliance is capable of forming a
government expected by the people.
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