Maldives parliament passes controversial bill on SEZ

COLOMBO, Aug 28 (Xinhua): A controversial bill on setting up special economic zones (SEZ) in the Maldives has been approved by parliament along with six amendments, local media reported on Thursday.

The bill had been approved with a majority of 60 members voting in favour of the decision and 15 members against it, local newspaper Haveeru reported.

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) submitted 245 amendments to the government's flagship SEZ legislation but was unable to muster enough votes to include them in the new bill. Another opposition party, Jumhoory Party (JP) headed by tycoon Gasim Ibrahim, initially opposed the legislation but changed their stance at the last minute, backing the government.

The MDP contends economic zones could pave the way for money laundering and other criminal enterprises, undermine the decentralisation system, and authorise a board formed by the president to "openly sell off the country" without parliamentary oversight.