Former presidents to be denied MNDF security when attending protests

The Parliament’s Security Services Committee (241 Committee) has amended policies to deny former Maldivian presidents the VIP security they receive from Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), when they attend protests.

The amendment to the policy on MNDF’s VIP security was made during a committee meeting on Monday. However, details regarding the amendment are unclear as the meeting was held behind closed doors.

Sun has learnt through a credible source that the amendment was proposed by Kelaa MP Abdulla Shareef, a lawmaker from the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC).

The PNC used its supermajority to pass the motion, despite pushback from three non-ruling party members; Hanimaadhoo MP Abdul Ghafoor Moosa (Gapo) from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), North Maafannu MP Colonel (Retired) Mohamed Nazim from the Maldives National Party (MNP), and Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakr, an independent who is usually aligned with the PNC.

The move to deny VIP security to former presidents come after former Maldivian leaders Mohamed Nasheed, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom agreed to form an alliance in May, to work against President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration.

Both MDP and PNF have been holding anti-government protests in Male’, with Nasheed, who was recently elected as the chairperson of MDP, vowing to increase civil action to increase the pressure.