The Parliament’s Petition Committee has approved a petition calling for the withdrawal of a government-backed bill that would expand ministers’ powers over land and premises under the jurisdiction of city and island councils.

The petition has received 2,307 signatures, meeting the threshold required for it to be presented to a Majlis sitting.

The petition argues that the proposed amendments to the Decentralisation Act would weaken elected councils by giving greater powers to the central government and limit the public’s voice in local decision-making.

It also claims the amendments could allow councils to obstruct government development projects without valid reasons.

The petition was approved for the attention of Majlis Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdullah after being proposed by Dhihdhoo MP Abdulla Latheef and seconded by Ungoofaaru MP Ibrahim Shifaz.