When President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom ratifies the new Constitution on coming Thursday, 7 August, the People's Majlish will assume much wider responsibilities and powers including taking up some urgent transitional matters that have to be decided for the implementation of the Constitution. One of the big tasks of the Majlis would be to elect a Speaker and Deputy Speaker from among the members of the Majlis. Present Speaker Ahmed Zahir has done a superb job during the past 4 years. Zahir is a veteran parliamentarian who has a reputation of being one of the most vocal members famours for his oratary skills and eloquence. Zahir is appointed by the President and unless President freshly appoints him as a member, the Majlis cannot elect him under the new Constitution. There are rumours Zahir may soon be appointed a President's member so that he can be reelected as the Speaker for the remaing six months of the Majlis under the transitional provisions..Some analysts believe Zahir may be DRP's favoured candidate for the post and there is a strong possibility of getting the required majority for him with the support of other members.
There are rumours popular Male' member and former MDP senior member Mohamed Shihab is also vying for the high profile post. It appears, Shihab who has been a member of the Majlis for 25 and who is also a highly vocal and respected member may have a better chance to become the new Speaker. Although Shihab has recently resigned from MDP, he is popular with the opposition members and independents. Shihab has lost his Government job of Managing Director of Maldives Posts since assuming a proactive role in the opposition MDP two years ago. But after resigning from MDP, he has said he does not want join any parrties indicating his desire to remain independent.
Shihab's revered father late Ibrahim Shihab was also Speaker for several years and he was widely known as the golden tounge of Maldives for his extraordinary eloquence. Ibrahim Shihab was a much respected politician who held many powerful ministerial posts. He was one of the Vice Presidents during the last months of former President Ibrahim Nasir. Ibrahim Shihab was fallen out of President Gayoom's loyalists in the early part of Gayoom's presidency, but because of the superior brilliance of the veteran politician, Ibrahim Shihab soon became one of the senior ministers in Gayoom's cabinet.
There are rumours popular Male' member and former MDP senior member Mohamed Shihab is also vying for the high profile post. It appears, Shihab who has been a member of the Majlis for 25 and who is also a highly vocal and respected member may have a better chance to become the new Speaker. Although Shihab has recently resigned from MDP, he is popular with the opposition members and independents. Shihab has lost his Government job of Managing Director of Maldives Posts since assuming a proactive role in the opposition MDP two years ago. But after resigning from MDP, he has said he does not want join any parrties indicating his desire to remain independent.
Shihab's revered father late Ibrahim Shihab was also Speaker for several years and he was widely known as the golden tounge of Maldives for his extraordinary eloquence. Ibrahim Shihab was a much respected politician who held many powerful ministerial posts. He was one of the Vice Presidents during the last months of former President Ibrahim Nasir. Ibrahim Shihab was fallen out of President Gayoom's loyalists in the early part of Gayoom's presidency, but because of the superior brilliance of the veteran politician, Ibrahim Shihab soon became one of the senior ministers in Gayoom's cabinet.
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