Independent MP for Faafu Nilandhoo Abdulla Khaleel has signed for the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) today, bringing the ruling party’s number of MPs to 38 and the Progressive Coalition’s tally to 43 out of 85 seats.
Khaleel defeated incumbent PPM MP Abdul Muhsin Hameed by a one-vote margin – which increased to three votes following a recount – in the March 22 parliamentary polls.
Speaking to the press after signing the membership form at a ceremony in Muleeage this afternoon – attended by President Abdulla Yameen, Vice President Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed and Tourism Minister Ahmed Adeeb – Khaleel said he began his political career alongside friends who were currently in PPM, adding that he saw his future in the party.
“I support this government’s economic agenda very much and God willing I will have a role among Majlis members in achieving the important objectives of that agenda,” he said.
With Khaleel’s signing, four out of five independent MPs elected to the 18th People’s Majlis as well as one opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP have now joined the PPM, leaving Madaveli MP Muaz Mohamed Rasheed the sole independent.
Together with the five MPs of coalition partner Maldives Development Alliance (MDA), the governing coalition now has 43 seats – the simple majority required to pass legislation and approve presidential appointments.
The Progressive Coalition – made up of the PPM, Jumhooree Party (JP) and Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) – had however secured a combined total of 57 seats in the March 22 polls.
Following a dispute over the speaker’s post, the PPM severed its coalition agreement with the JP last week. The JP had won 15 seats.
President Yameen however told reporters at the signing ceremony today that PPM was still willing to work with the estranged coalition partner, professing “respect” for JP leader Gasim Ibrahim.
“I believe there is still the opportunity for us to work together with the JP,” he said.
While nine political appointees belonging to the JP – including Transport Minister Ameen Ibrahim – have been dismissed in the wake of the coalition’s breakup, Yameen noted that three cabinet ministers as well as board members of state-owned enterprises occupying JP slots remained in the government.
Yameen denied pressuring the JP members to sign for the ruling party to retain their government jobs, adding that it was “up to them to decide” how best to serve the nation.
The president also said that a clear majority in parliament would enable his administration to implement the PPM manifesto and carry out mega infrastructure projects.
“We wanted to keep the speaker’s post in our party for that reason as well. God willing, we will be able to carry on our government’s work swiftly when more members of the People’s Majlis join our party,” he said.
Yameen added that the party’s aim was to take the Maldives to “a whole other stage” of economic development.
Some MPs of the opposition MDP – the minority party in parliament with 25 seats – have also given assurances that they would cooperate with the executive, Yameen said.
Most MPs believe that political rivalry should be “set aside” in favour of working together in the public interest, he added.
“So God willing, our hope is to get a clear majority of the People’s Majlis in the not-so-distant future,” he said.
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I also support this government's economic agenda. Why? Because, that agenda will ensure the rich get even richer and the poor get poorer. Well done.
How much was this MP paid to support the economic agenda?
true . Anyone who does not obey Nasheed is a criminal. This MP is criminal in that sense.
To be a Maldivian, he/she must obey Nasheed and all others are not Maldivian.
People like Mariya must get thier head out of Nasheed circus and start to face the reality.
Nasheed will never become the leader of this nation . He must be punished for the crimes that he had committed under his leadership and he must be made answerable for over 700 millions dollars that he has misused or given to his allies.
@Hero
Here's your English vocabulary word for the day.
Delusion: A fixed false belief that is resistant to reason or confrontation with actual fact.
Hero, people like you need to get your head out of PPM admiration and look at reality. Not everything that is said against PPM is about Nasheed my dear. The comment is very simple here. If you think that this guy signed over to PPM out of the goodness of his heart and without getting a cent for that, well then, I am sure that all the MPs who have signed over from one party to another have done so in exactly the same way. The people voted for him cause he was representing himself to be independent, and now what? Why didn't he run on a PPM ticket in the first place? Stop getting so defensive and admit it that you can only talk about what is wrong with Nasheed and MDP, and not one word of criticism about the policies and the way things are happening in this government. Care to ask the mother in Fuvamulah hospital who lost her baby cause there weren't adequate facilities in the hospital? In this age and time how can there be no way for a woman to have a safe delivery??!!! Sure by all means lets make Nasheed answerable, BUT is he the only politician or former President in this country who needs to be made answerable? Yes, I agree with Waste of Time, Delusion it is.
mariyam: It's not delusion. Nasheed did commit a certain crime against them while he was president - he dared to try and have abdulla mohamed investigated. That is why every thug, rapist, thief and murderer abdulla mohamed had ever allowed to go free came out in force on the 23rd of December 2012. This is why they can never allow him to be president of Maldives ever again. They know they'll be the ones on trial when that happens.
And that 700 million? It was spent on social improvements, like Aasandha, bus service, ferry services and pension. An unforgivable thing, for Hero and his ilk believe that it belongs in their swiss bank accounts and nowhere else.