The Progressive Coalition has said today that they will not allow sessions in Parliament to proceed without looking into the issues submitted to the Parliamentary Security Services Committee 241. The Progressive Coalition consists of members of two opposition parties - the People’s National Congress (PNC) and Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).

The MP for Fonadhoo constituency and interim Leader of the People’s National Congress (PNC) Abdul Raheem Abdulla said this at a joint press conference with Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM). He said that the issue of former President Yameen’s release from prison has been submitted to the Parliamentary Security Services Committee 241. MP Abdul Raheem added that the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee 241 does not want to convene and discuss the issue.

The interim leader of PNC further said that discussions are currently ingoing with the Speaker of Parliament, and leader of Jumhooree Party, Qasim Ibrahim. He said that there is no way that the Progressive Coalition would allow Parliamentary sessions to proceed without ensuring that the members of the Security Services Committee 241 meet and address the issues.

MP Abdul Raheem further reiterated that the matter will be decided on the Parliamentary floor as it is the only way to accomplish what the Progressive Coalition wants.

The interim leader of PNC also noted that the current Chair of the Committee 241 is a former member of the Maldives Police Services. The current Chairperson of the Parliamentary Security Services Committee 241 is MP for Kinbidhoo constituency Abdulla Riyaz.

MP Abdul Raheem said that an appeal will be submitted to the Speaker of Parliament to ensure that the case is looked into by the Committee 241 by the next Parliamentary session. Parliament is set to hold the next session on 25 February.