In his Presidential Address delivered today, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has highlighted the amendments submitted for a number of laws by his administration, as part of the ongoing efforts to rectify the constitutional framework of the State.
President Solih delivered his first Presidential Address this morning, at the opening session of this year’s People’s Majlis.
The President stated that a bill has been submitted to the Majlis to criminalise unlawful acquisition of wealth, which has been designed by the Government to raise the penalties for senior State officials implicated in such cases. He reiterated that there will be no allowance for corruption within this Government, and reassured that his administration firmly abides by a policy of zero-tolerance to corruption.
President Solih said that the government is undertaking swift evaluation of 11 laws and regulations that had previously been amended for the purpose of political gain and to target opposition politicians. He also said that 14 additional bills have been submitted to the Majlis so far, of which 10 have been ratified.
President Solih especially made note of the Bill on the Protection of Whistle-Blowers and the Legal Profession Bill proposing to establish a bar association. He called upon the Majlis to expedite the Bills on Misappropriation of State Property and Funds, and the Investigation of Unsolved Murders.
Further, President Solih underlined that a Bill on Juvenile Justice is due for submission in the first sitting of the Majlis. Moreover, he said that under the Government’s policy to empower local councils, the Decentralization Act will undergo necessary amendments - a process for which the deliberations of stakeholders and opinions of the general public have been obtained.
In this regard, President Solih said that he has always believed that democratic governance stems from the people, and pointed out that the decentralized system of governance declared in the constitution and meant to empower local communities was however only in name in the past.
In an effort to reform the system, the President noted that the Decentralization Act will undergo rapid amendments to accord additional powers and authorities to the local councils, with the goal to empower the councils to become financially independent and self-sufficient bodies.
Furthermore, President Solih said that the role of women in the development of islands will expand rapidly in the future, providing rightful and equal opportunities. He said that the policies of the Government will be designed to address the grievances of and challenges faced by women, while increasing the number of women in executive positions, and thereby expanding their role in decision-making.
The President spoke on the bill on Civil Procedures being formulated and will be submitted to the Majlis this year, to ascertain that the civil justice system is on par with international best practices as in other advanced democracies. He also stated that a comprehensive revision of the regulations that dictate statutory bodies is also in progress, with the intention of submitting the amendments during the first sitting of Majlis.
Noting the key role played by non-governmental organizations in the checks and balances on state affairs, strengthening the societal organization of the country and bridging the gap between the State and the people, President Solih stated that a Bill on Civil Society Organisations is also being drafted, in order to broaden the role of such organisations in State governance.
