Opposition MPs Barred from Majlis Chamber when President Spoke

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih delivered his presidential address to the Majlis after having barred opposition parliamentarians from sitting in attendance in the main Majlis chamber.

Opposition parliamentarians had attempted to enter the chamber prior to the beginning of the address, yet Majlis security had barred them from entering.

Only three opposition parliamentarians actually attempted to enter the Majlis chamber during the address; they were PNC Vice President MP Mohamed Saeed (Maavah), MP Fazul Rasheed (Fulidhoo), MP Mohamed Hussain Latheef (Fares-Mathoda). They had all been denied entry.

They had been barred from entry as they had carried a banner with them, said MP Saeed.

MP Abdullah Jabir (Kashidhoo) behaved belligerently in the Majlis chamber as President Solih delivered his address. Sources have said that MP Jabir has now been threatend with physical violence.

It is worth noting that the ruling MDP had displayed belligerent and rude behaviour when both Presidents Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik and President Yameen Abdul Gayyoom had addressed the Majlis during their respective terms. MDP parliamentarians had protested in the Majlis chambers, and they had verbally assaulted both presidents.