Member of Parliament representing the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Meekail Naseem, addressed Parliament today regarding legislation to restrict Israeli passport holders, calling for a ban as a stance against the ongoing genocide in Palestine.

During the debate to expedite the proposed legislation, the Galolhu South constituency representative noted that 163 days have elapsed since the bill's initial submission through MDP, whilst expressing concerns about procedural delays.

"Even when submitting this bill to Parliament, I said to treat this as a national matter and set aside political differences to expedite this bill's work; however, what we saw in this Parliament was different. We saw the extent of a political party's control over this Parliament. We saw the People's National Congress (PNC)'s Parliamentary Group leader approaching individual members, requesting them not to speak," Meekail said.

The Parliament's 241 Committee on National Security Services, reviewing the proposed amendments to the Immigration Act, has established a timeline for thorough consideration, with conclusions anticipated by February 2025. The Committee emphasised the importance of a comprehensive review for such significant legislation.

Committee member Colonel Mohamed Nazim shared his perspectives on the broader implications of the measure, underscoring the importance of careful consideration in matters of national policy.

"I believe this is something submitted to exert influence over us, especially to influence the Government and to weaken the Government in front of the people through political pressure," he added.

PNC's Parliamentary Group Deputy Leader, Mohamed Shahid of Hulhudhoo constituency, emphasised the wider implications of the proposed legislation. He noted that such measures could significantly impact national interests, including economic and sovereignty considerations, thus warranting comprehensive review rather than expedited passage.