Budget committee meets MMA governor behind closed doors

In an unprecedented move today, pro-government MPs on parliament’s budget review committee voted through a motion to exclude media from a meeting with Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) Governor Dr Azeema Adam.

The central bank governor was due to give her professional opinion on the 2015 state budget.

Article 85(b) of the Constitution states that the People’s Majlis could exclude the public and the press from committee meetings “if there is a compelling need to do so in the interests of public order or national security.”

However, Article 85(c) states that parliament could specify “additional reasons” for closed sessions.