Secretary General’s Press Briefing 27 October 2019 - English Translation - -- Speaker requests disclosure of MPs accused of accepting MMPRC money -- To begin with I would like to highlight that 19th People’s Majlis holds up highest of integrity. At a time, the Hon. Speaker, Hon. members and Majlis Secretariat is working hard on maintaining the integrity, it has been alleged that some of the members of the Majlis are involved in MMPR Corruption case. Hence, the speaker of the Majlis has requested the investigative authorities to provide the names of the accused members. -- MPs can now meet constituents in parliament -- We have made arrangements in the Parliament premises for the members to conduct meetings with their constituents. Such meeting arrangements can be made through the Member Service Section of the Secretariat upon member’s request. We believe this will further strengthen the bond between the Hon. members and their constituents. -- List of bills currently being drafted by the Majlis -- We received a letter from President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, mentioning of 34 bills that the government plan to submit to the Majlis during this term. Among these bills, we have already received Bill on Income Tax and bill on Amendment to Decentralization Act. Also, first reading of the bill on Interim Justice Act has been scheduled for Mondays sitting. As you know, under the current Standing Order of the Majlis, all political parties represented in the Majlis can submit bills to the floor. Details of the bills currently being drafted by Majlis: 1. Bill to Amend the Police Act (5/2008) Drafting of this bill is being carried out by the chosen subcommittee. The subcommittee is inclusive of 4 members of Committee on National Security Services and 3 members of Judiciary Committee. Thus far, the subcommittee has held discussions with 15 respective institutions. 2. Transportation Bill The subcommittee chosen for this bill has met with 7 respective institutions. The subcommittee is inclusive of 5 members of National Development and Heritage Committee. 3. Housing and Infrastructure bill The members of the subcommittee chosen for this bill held discussions with 14 respective bodies. The subcommittee is inclusive of 5 members of National Development and Heritage Committee. 4. Bill to Amend Judges Act and the Bill to amend the Judicature Act The following two bills are being drafted by a subcommittee of Judiciary Committee. 5. Water, Electricity and Sewage system bill The drafting of this bill is being carried out by the 6 members of the subcommittee of Environment and Climate Change committee. The committee members held discussions with 9 respective government institutions. 6. Minimum Wage Bill The drafting of this bill is being carried out by the 6 members of the subcommittee of Economic Affairs Committee. So far, the committee has met with Ministry of Economic Development and the Salaries and Wages Advisory Board to discuss the bill. 7. Job seekers Allowance bill The drafting of this bill is being carried out by the 5 members of the subcommittee of Economic Affairs Committee. The subcommittee is as of now seeking technical help from authorities. These are the bills being drafted as of now. Apart from these bills, the committees are working day and night, even during weekends deliberating issues sent to respective committees. -- Speaker’s Appointments and Official visits -- -- Appointment with Civil service commission -- On Sunday morning, Hon. President Mohamed Nasheed, MP Speaker of the People’s Majlis met with the members of the Civil Service Commission. During the meeting held at the People’s Majlis, while noting the Civil Servant’s right to Freedom of Assembly and Freedom of Speech, the Speaker highlighted the importance of Civil Service Commission to discourage the Civil Servants to take part in Political Activities that calls for violence. He also requested the Commission to conduct awareness programs for the Permanent Secretaries and Senior Officials, on Civil Servant’s Rights to Freedom of assembly and Freedom of speech. -- Trip to GA. Villingili -- Hon. Speaker of the People’s Majlis will visit GA. Villingili Island on an official visit this Thursday. During his visit Speaker will inaugurate “Dhekunu Mahaasinthaa” (South Conference), an atoll level conference with participants from the Southernmost 4 atolls. -- Westminster Foundation Trip -- Apart from the Speaker’s visit, let me also highlight that, some of the members of the Parliament and some Senior staff of the Majlis Secretariat visited Wales on an official visit last week. This was a visit organized and funded by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy. During this trip, the participants had an insight of the operations of the National Assembly for Wales. -- Agenda -- Before I conclude, let me highlight some of the items that we have placed on Monday’s agenda. As I mentioned before, we will have the first reading of the Interim Justice Bill tomorrow. We will have a question session with Minister of Environment Dr. Hussein Rasheed. Hon. Fazul Rasheed, Member for Felidhoo Constituency will be asking the Minister regarding the establishment of water and sewage systems in some of the islands in his constituency. We also, will have preliminary debate of the Income Tax Bill submitted by the Hon. Mohamed Waheed, MP for Ungoofaaru Constituency on behalf of the government. You can download the final agenda from our website in a while. ENDS MEDIA ENQUIRIES For all media enquiries, please contact: Mr. Hassan Ziyau Director People’s Majlis Secretariat (The Parliament of Maldives) Tel: +960 3312107 Email: [email protected] [email protected]