Judiciary excluded from presidential address out of respect, says President

The judiciary was not mentioned in the parliament inauguration presidential address in respect and confidence to the courts, President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has said.

Speaking at an event to inaugurate PPM parliamentary candidate Mohamed Ameeths campaign office last night, President Yameen assured that the government is engaging with the judiciary to reform the courts and expedite the judicial process.

“God willing, we are trying to find a way acceptable to the people of the judiciary and the judges, to expedite the judicial process. This is why I did not mention this in the presidential [address]. It is not because everything with the judicial system is good or perfect,” President Yameen said.

Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has criticized the president for failing to mention issues with the judiciary in his presidential address on Monday. It is a sign of negligence on part of the government to reform the judiciary, the party had said.

Speaking at last nights event, President Yameen said that the government will never comment on a judicial proceeding, but will work to expedite cases if they are delayed.

“…we have not criticized rulings by a judicial process. Not then, not today, and certainly not tomorrow. But if the process is delayed, I will tell them, even today, that it is being stalled,” said the President.

The government will not comment on the Supreme Court’s allegations against the Elections Commission, the President said. It is a domestic affair and the “government will not interfere if not necessary,” President Yameen said.