The secretariat of the former president has accused senior government officials of blocking funding for his office and attempting to obstruct its work.
A press release issued by the office of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom states that it was created on 11 December 2009 under legislation passed t last year by parliament to provide protection and privileges for former presidents.
“Under article eight of the law on protection and privileges for former presidents, the state has to arrange up to Rf175,000 a month for an office, employees and ‘other matters’ for former presidents ‘should they want to’ do social work of benefit to community,” reads the press statement.
It adds that the legislation leaves the formation of the office to the discretion of former presidents, and not parliament or the government.
Article 140 states, “A member of the cabinet shall be given responsibility for each authority or institute established by government or the People’s Majlis, except for independent institutions specified in this constitution or established pursuant to a law.”
However the statement adds that “it is clear” that a cabinet minister does not have to be responsible for the office and moreover, it was “regrettable” that senior government officials were claiming that the former president did not have the authority to create such an office and were “attempting to obstruct” the work of the former president.
Speaking to Minivan News today, Hassan Afeef, political advisor to President Mohamed Nasheed, denied the president’s office was obstructing the social work of the former president.
“What he has to do first is state what kind of social work he wants to do and then inform the relevant authority – that is the finance ministry,” Afeef said.
When the request was made with the finance ministry, he said, it will issue funds depending on the type of work and the number of employees needed.
Afeef argued that the office would be created by a law passed by parliament and therefore would be overseen by a ministry.
Since the law clearly states that funds should be issued for “social work” the former president must specify the kind of work he wants to undertake.
“I don’t understand why he is trying to do everything by using power instead of respecting the law,” he said.
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