This is the dramatic moment parliament members had a violent brawl during a session ahead of a key vote for the president's cabinet.

Dramatic footage shows MPs throwing punches and pulling each other's hair amid proceedings at the Maldivian parliament in the capital city of Male, on Sunday, January 28.

The clash reportedly came after the opposition refused to approve four new cabinet ministers, members of newly-elected president Mohamed Muizzu's party.

Members of the People's National Congress (PNC) and Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) protested after the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), led by former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, which commands a majority in Parliament, opted to withhold approval for the four members.

One video shows a violent altercation between MDP MP Isa and PNC MP Abdullah Shaheem Abdul Hakeem, where Shaheem was seen gripping Isa's leg, leading to a fall.

Another clip shows Isa then kicking Shaheem's neck and pulling his hair. Other members were seen trying to push him away and break up the fight.

In a third video, MP Shaheem was seen blowing a toy trumpet into the speaker's ear as he tried to block the noise by putting his hands to his ear. The incident resulted in injuries, according to local media.

Shaheem reportedly had to be taken to an ambulance for medical attention.

According to reports, several ruling party members barricaded the House and said that not accepting the ministers of President Mohamed Muizzu's cabinet could hinder progress. They called for the resignation of the speaker of parliament and criticised the refusal to approve the ministers as irresponsible.