Speaker defends publicizing statements given to committee

Speaker of the Peoples’ of the Peoples’ Majlis, Abdullah Shahid has defended the publicizing of the statements given to the Committee on Oversight of the Government bykey individuals who gave their statements to Commission of National Inquiry (CoNI) regarding the events of February 07, 2012.

Speaker Shahid defended the investigation initiated by the Committee on Oversight of the Government at a time when the Attorney General of the State stated that the investigation is in opposition to the constitution. He said this in reply to the letter of President Dr.Mohamed Waheed informing the speaker of his decision that members of the Cabinet, officials of the security forces, and senior officials of the government will not attend the People’s Majlis Committee on Oversight of the Government.

The Speaker of the Majlis stated in his letter that the report of the committee of national inquiry formed by the President under the 115 article (o) of the constitution was sent to the committee of the Majlis established under the article 241 of the constitution to exercise continuing oversight of the operations of the security services.

Speaker Shahid said that the report was also sent to the Committee on the Oversight of the Government. He said that the Committee has the jurisdiction to investigate and evaluate the works of the government. He said that this includes the investigation of reports issued by different government establishments.

In addition to this the Speaker noted that the article 99 of the constitution gives the Majlis the authority to summon any person to appear before it to give evidence under oath, or to produce documents. He said that any person who is questioned by the Maklis as provided for in article 99 shall answer to the best of knowledhe and ability. He also said that the Majlis has the power to require any person or institution to report to it; receive petitions, representations or submissions from interested persons or institutions.

In Speakers letter he has not mentioned any thing about the comments of Counscel General of the Parliament stating that the committee ir function illegally.