Members of Parliament have intensified calls for political parties to cease illegal activities and for decisive action to be taken against those who violate established social norms, during a heated preliminary debate in Parliament.
The motion, moved by Holhudhoo MP Abdul Sattar Mohamed, sparked a broader discussion on balancing constitutional freedoms with the responsibility of political entities to maintain public order and social cohesion.
In presenting the motion, MP Abdul Sattar said that while the Constitution guarantees every citizen the fundamental right to freedom of expression, the continued illegal activities of certain political parties have caused significant hardship to the public. The motion called for institutional measures to address threats to societal security, stating that the current situation requires immediate and meaningful intervention from relevant authorities.
During the debate, members of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) expressed support for the motion, noting that although the Constitution protects freedom of the press and freedom of expression, these rights must be exercised within legal and reasonable limits. Several MPs raised concerns about the use of inflammatory language in public spaces and activities they said undermine social harmony.
“There is no freedom of expression that permits causing harm to others. Institutions entrusted with maintaining order must take appropriate action. Millions are allocated annually for these purposes, yet corresponding responsibilities are not being fulfilled,” PNC Parliamentary Group Leader and Inguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falah said.
The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) presented a contrasting view during the debate. MDP lawmakers described the motion as unacceptable, raising concerns over what they characterised as interference in personal affairs and individual freedoms. They argued that political parties play a legitimate role in representing the concerns and aspirations of citizens, and cautioned that the motion could lead to selective enforcement of laws by those in authority.
Despite the opposition’s objections, a majority of members who participated in the preliminary debate expressed support for the motion, stressing the need for firm action on the issues raised.
Several MPs also called for the dissolution of parties operating outside the framework established by the Political Parties Act, arguing that some parties have moved away from promoting national unity and are instead contributing to divisions within society.