Parliament Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla has said MPs should not be described as “rent-a-members” or “puppets”, warning that such remarks would be stopped during parliamentary proceedings.

He made the remarks during a debate on a petition calling for the removal of MPs’ health insurance benefits. Galolhu South MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem expressed support for the petition, saying public concerns over MPs’ salaries and benefits were linked to their performance.

Meekail argued that MPs who failed to meet public expectations could not expect people to accept their salaries, allowances and insurance benefits without question. He also accused independent MPs aligned with the Government of attempting to silence opposition members.

The debate also touched on a proposed amendment to the Parliament’s Rules of Procedure that would require resolutions to be accepted by a vote before initial debate begins. Meekail linked the proposal to efforts to disclose the details of the Government’s agreement with Eagle Hills for the Rasmalé project.

During the debate, MP Ismail Nizar Nizami raised a point of order over Meekail’s remarks. Speaker Abdul Raheem said MPs could not describe fellow members as “puppets” or “rent-a-members” and warned that he would stop the discussion if it crossed the boundaries of parliamentary conduct.

Meekail responded that the Speaker had no right to prevent him from describing MPs as he saw fit.