Deputy Speaker Calls for Local Appointments to Senior Positions at BML

Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Ahmed Nazim, has urged the appointment of local talent to senior roles at the Bank of Maldives (BML). 

His call came during an extraordinary parliamentary session yesterday, where MPs discussed amendments to the Companies Act.

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Nazim highlighted concerns over the absence of several senior officials during a critical decision last month to suspend foreign transactions on cards linked to Maldivian Rufiyaa accounts. He pointed out that at the time of the decision, foreign nationals holding key positions such as Credit Control Manager, Operations Director, and Risk Manager were not in the country. Despite their absence, these officials continued to receive a monthly salary of USD 15,000.

“Fifteen thousand US dollars is no small sum. We must prioritise appointing Maldivians to these posts,” Nazim emphasised.

He further warned that if the so-called ‘Maldivians’ Bank’ remains under the control of non-locals, more significant problems could arise in the future. Nazim called on Parliament, the Ministry of Finance, and the Privatisation and Corporatisation Board (PCB) to explore ways to ensure more effective management of companies in which the government holds a stake.