Parliament Green Lights Four Ministers in Extraordinary Session

The Parliament has approved the appointments of four government ministers during an extraordinary session held today.

The session saw the endorsement of Moosa Zameer as Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Ali Haidar Ahmed as Minister of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development, Dr. Maryam Mariya as Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare, and Dr. Abdulla Muththalib as Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure.

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Voting results varied for each nominee, with Dr. Mariya and Dr. Muththalib securing 70 votes each, while 69 members voted in favour of Finance Minister Zameer. Dr. Haidar’s appointment was backed by 63 MPs, with six voting against.

ވަޒީރުންގެ މަޖިލީހުގެ މެންބަރުންގެ ގޮތުގައި ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ ޢައްޔަންކުރައްވާފައިވާ 4 ވަޒީރުންނަށް ރުހުންދިނުމުގެ މައްސަލަ، ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލީހުގެ ސަރުކާރު މަސްއޫލިއްޔަތު އަދާކުރާ މިންވަރު ބަލާ ކޮމިޓީއިން ދިރާސާކުރުން pic.twitter.com/dsaVl2FVJP— People's Majlis (@mvpeoplesmajlis) January 19, 2025

The appointments were necessitated following the resignation of Dr. Aisha Ramila and structural changes to several ministries. These changes included the merging of the Planning Ministry into the Finance Ministry, and adjustments to ministerial responsibilities. Moosa Zameer previously served as Foreign Minister, while Dr. Haidar was Housing Minister. Dr. Mariya transitioned from her role as Minister of Higher Education, and Dr. Muththalib moved to his current post from his previous position as Planning Minister.

The government stated that these changes aim to strengthen governance and expand public services. Parliamentary approval is a legal requirement for changes in ministerial roles or functions.

In addition to the approval of the four ministers, the Parliament addressed other key agenda items. The nomination of members for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) was referred to the Independent Institutions Committee for review, which was then approved by the Committee during an additional meeting. Both nominees, Ahmed Nasheed of Ma. Golden Moon and Abdullah Nashid of Fasana, R. Alifushi, were approved by 68 votes.

The Parliament also approved the appointment of Moomina Waheed as Vice-President of the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) following a report from the Human Rights and Gender Committee. Waheed received 67 votes in favour.

The session concluded after approving the ministerial appointments, with another meeting scheduled for 4:00 pm to continue deliberations.