Thursday
18th Apr 2024
Dhivehi Edition
MP Ahmed Shiyam. Photo: Majilis
Parliament representative for Naifaru constituency Ahmed Shiyam declared that during his tenure, and even now, former President Yameen Abdul Gayoom advocates for a presidential system of government, which was the public's decision.
During a Sangu TV program, Shiyam addressed claims of former President Yameen's support for a parliamentary system made by Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed on Clubhouse. Shiyam falsified the claims, stating that President Yameen advocated for the presidential system.
He stated that during President Yameen's five-year tenure, the public reaped the benefits of a presidential system, and proved that there was no reason for the citizen's needs to be left unmet due to the system. "I believe we experienced the excellence and reaped the most benefits from the presidential system during President Yameen's tenure from 2013 to 2018", said Shiyam.
He further stated that as the current system was chosen with the public's vote in 2007, changes to the system must also be decided by the public. Highlighting changes that can be brought to the parliament in accordance with the constitution, Shiyam stated that as the current system was decided on by the public, only the public can change the system.
Shiyam declared that when President Yameen was elected, he accepted the public decision, and the public's decision was a presidential system of government.
If a parliamentary system is to be adopted, the parliament must go through operational changes and gain the public's trust. He reiterated that major changes will be required to establish the public's trust in parliamentary procedures.