MP Dr. Ahmed Shamheed has raised concern over the increasing secrecy surrounding parliamentary proceedings, stating that withholding information from the public undermines the purpose of Parliament.

Shamheed made the remarks after the Finance Committee meeting was held behind closed doors during the appearance of Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) officials before the committee. The meeting focused on the recent rise of the dollar rate in the black market and the growing difficulty in obtaining US dollars — issues of urgent public interest.

The vote to keep the meeting confidential was made at the request of the agency, with PNC members supporting the move. Shamheed expressed strong dissatisfaction with the decision, stressing that matters such as the dollar crisis do not pose a threat to national security and should be openly discussed.

He warned that if Parliament continues to function in secrecy, it will fail to serve its democratic purpose and lose the public’s trust. Shamheed also pointed out that the PNC and the President have publicly committed to transparency, yet the pattern of holding closed-door meetings contradicts those promises.

The motion to close the Finance Committee meeting was passed with six votes in favor. Only Dr. Shamheed and MDP MP Mohamed Ghafoor voted against it.