This Wednesday, the President of Maldives Broadcasting Commission ( Broadcom ) Mohamed Shaheeb made a strong statement before tendering his resignation. He claimed that the Parliamentary Committee on Independent Institution decided to dismiss him unjustly.
The Committee had included the motion for Shaheeb’s dismissal to the Parliament floor on Wednesday’s agenda.
Shaheeb addressed a letter to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, which he began by denying all the allegations raised against him. He claimed that he had always acted within the constitution during his time as Broadcom President. He described himself as a “victim of a personal and political vendetta”, adding that he never expected to face the threat of job security at a time where many advocated against cruelty and injustice.
“However, since the decisions made by the Broadcasting Commission depends on the majority vote, as the chair of the commission I have to enforce the decisions as per the law, even though I do not support the particular decision. The constitution does not allow me a different course of action.”
Furthermore, Shaheeb stated that he received hate and criticism when the Defamation Act was passed during the previous administration.
The now-resigned Broadcom President also added that he could have garnered the support of certain political figures by submitting cases to the commission below the freedom of speech granted by the constitution throughout his tenure, as different members of the commission did. However, he reiterated that he did not partake in such activities as he perpetually acted inside the constitution, justly and fairly.
Shaheeb noted that the meeting minutes of Broadcom would reveal the details of who voted to fine certain broadcasting stations, adding that he did not participate within the vote as the chair of the meetings. He further expressed his disappointment with the committee’s decision, declaring that he was never informed of what he did unlawfully.
Stating that he cooperated fully with the commission by responding to all of the committee’s queries and submitting the commission’s meeting minutes for the member’s perusal, Shaheeb stated that the commission did not question him on any unlawful acts or disclose any accusations.
“Therefore, referring to the sub committee’s report, the Independent Institution Committee’s decision made on July 24, 2019, is an unlawful, unjust and in violation of the constitution”, he stated in the letter.
The Parliament Committee decided on dismissing Broadcom’s Vice President Fathimath Zaina as well. Broadcom members Hassan Nabaah and Ismail Sofwan resigned from their positions whilst they were under investigation by the Independent Institution Committee.
