Several Prominent Businessmen Secures Parliament Seats

Several prominent businessmen such as JP leader Gasim Ibrahim, ‘Sun Travel’ Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, and ‘Red Wave’ Ahmed Saleem retained their seats for a fourth consecutive term during Sunday’s parliamentary elections.

Ahmed Saleem who heads the supermarket chain “Redwave” retained his seat in Baa Atoll Eydhafushi constituency. His son, Ibrahim Naufal, who contested for the Meemu Mulaku constituency also won. Both Saleem and Naufal ran on a ticket of the ruling Progessive National Congress (PNC) coalition.

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Meanwhile, Ahmed Siyam Mohamed secured his seat in Dhaalu Meedhoo constituency. Siyam is only one of two candidates who was elected to the parliament from Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) led by Siyam.

Siyam’s Sun Siyam Resorts has five resort properties in Maldives and a boutique beach retreat in Sri Lanka.

Resort owner and leader of the Jumhooree Party (JP) Gasim Ibrahim also retained his seat in Alif Dhaal Maamigili. The former Speaker was the only candidate from JP to win a seat in parliament.

Gasim owns Villa Group which is one of the largest conglomerates in Maldives with major operations in shipping, Import and export, general trade and tourism, fishing, media, communication, transport and education-related businesses.

Mohamed Nazim, the Former Defense Minister and the chairman of the construction group Rasheed Carpentry and Construction (RCC) also won a seat in the north Maafannu constituency. Nazim leads the Maldives National Party (MNP).

Meanwhile, former resort owner Abdulla Jabir lost his seat in Kaafu Kaasdhidhoo constituency. He was elected to the seat in 2019 as an independent.