The Parliament is seeking public opinion on the Police Service Bill that some say would ensure that the public would receive trusted service from the law enforcement agencies.
In a notice, the parliamentary secretariat said that the general public could now comment on the bill titled ‘Police Service Bill’ from today onwards. It requested the public to send their comments via email or send a letter addressed to the parliament before 2 pm on 30th June.
The parliament also said that the committee on national security services was currently researching the bill.
MP for West-Henveiru constituency and Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Chairperson Hassan Latheef proposed the bill the Parliament in February and his proposition has been met with stern criticism from Maldives opposition coalition for the inclusion of expanded powers with the police.
According to the provisions of the proposed bill, the parliament committee is vested with new powers in ordering both Minister of Home Affairs and Commissioner of Police changes to the service.
While the first debate on the bill concluded, several of the ruling party-aligned parliamentarians placed heavy criticism on Maldives Police Service towards their current conduct and practices
