Progressive National Congress (PNC) lawmakers have dismissed the no-confidence motion against Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan, as a politically driven move aimed at gaining mileage rather than addressing genuine concerns.

During a parliamentary session, Parliament Member (MP) Hassan Zareer of Mathiveri constituency defended the Minister, stating that Minister Ihusaan had been present and had responded effectively to questions when the motion was raised.

Zareer noted that illegal immigration remains one of the country’s most significant challenges, with multiple Governments making efforts to address the issue. He recalled that the minister from the previous administration had set a deadline to resolve the matter and had even stated that he would resign if it remained unresolved. However, despite the deadline passing and the government's term ending, the issue persisted, and the minister continued in his role.

Reflecting on past commitments, Zareer noted that despite repeated assurances, the issue remained unresolved for years. He argued that the current Government had made significant progress in tackling illegal immigration, with visible results now apparent. According to him, the no-confidence motion had been brought forward because the opposition found these achievements difficult to accept.

Zareer further pointed out that while previous governments had promised to address the issue through legal and regulatory changes, many businesses had continued to be controlled by foreign nationals. He credited the Administration of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu for implementing effective policies that had led to meaningful changes. He claimed that thousands of illegal foreign residents had been removed from the country within a short period - something that past governments had failed to accomplish.

The MP suggested that opposition members were struggling to come to terms with the fact that their own ministers had been unable to achieve similar results. He reiterated that the no-confidence motion was politically motivated rather than based on legitimate concerns.

MP Ibrahim Shujau for Baarah constituency also echoed these sentiments, stating that the motion had been initiated by opposition MDP members for political purposes. He criticised their conduct during the parliamentary session, noting that when Ihusaan was addressing the motion, many opposition lawmakers had left the session, unwilling to listen to his responses.

Shujau argued that their behaviour undermined claims that the minister had lost the confidence of Parliament. He maintained that the Administration of President Dr Muizzu had effectively curbed the fraudulent business activities of foreign nationals in the Maldives, which he believed was a key reason behind the opposition’s dissatisfaction. In his view, the no-confidence motion was ultimately a political manoeuvre rather than a genuine effort to hold the minister accountable.