President Muizzu’s Speech Disrupted as Opposition Protests in Parliament

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–Article last amended: Feb 6 at 17:22:37 UTC (history)

This article requires pre-publication review by an uninvolved reviewer (one not substantially involved in writing the article).

–Article last amended: Feb 6 at 17:22:37 UTC (history)

Thursday, February 6, 2025

On February 6, while President Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives was delivering his presidential address in the People’s Majlis, opposition members from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) rose their voices regarding lies made by the government and issues raised by citizens.

The address was cut short after the Speaker of the People’s Majlis Abdul Raheem Abdulla gave three warnings, which the opposition parliament members didn’t follow and afterward called out the names of the protesters by the Speaker and was asked to leave the chambers, those who didn’t were forced out by security.

The parliament members that were kicked out were MP for South Galolhu constituency Meekail Ahmed Naseem, MP for Hanimaadhoo constituency Abdul Ghafoor Moosa, MP for South Hithadhoo constituency Ibrahim Nazil, MP for Keyodhoo constituency Mohamed Niushad, MP for Maradhoo constituency Ahmed Didi, MP for Thoddoo constituency Hussain Sameer, MP for Kendhoo constituency Mauroof Zakir and MP for Maradhoo constituency Ahmed Didi.

In response, the MDP’s parliamentary group leader, Ibrahim Nazil, stated that the Speaker’s action contradicted the parliamentary regulations.

In addition, MDP also called for people to protest outside the building of the People’s Majlis, which included former cabinet ministers, and lawmakers.

In Muizzu’s speech, he talked about protecting the independence of the Maldives, giving statehood to the Palestinian people, as well as submitting a list of bills to parliament, most notably a bill to hold presidential and parliamentary elections at the same time.