President appoints six ministers to the cabinet

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has appointed six more ministers to the cabinet today. The appointments were made at an event in President’s Office this evening. The new appointments include Umar Naseer as the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Mohamed Shaeem Ali Saeed as the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr Mohamed Muizzu as the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, Mohamed Saeed as the Minister of Economic Development, Thoriq Ibrahim as the Minister of Environment and Energy, and Dr Mohamed Shainee as the Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture. Newly appointed Home Minister Umar Naseer competed against President Abdulla Yameen in the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) primary and left the party disgruntled after a bitter defeat. Dr Shaheem and Dr Muizzu held the same ministry’s during Dr Mohamed Waheed’s government. The new Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed was the campaign manager for Gasim Ibrahim’s Jumhoory Party during the presidential election. A fresh face to the cabinet, Dr Mohamed Shainee and the more seasoned Dr Mohamed Muizzu were proposed by the Maldives Development Alliance (MDA). Home Minister Umar Naseer, Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim and Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed were proposed by Jumhoory Party. Dr Mohamed Shaeem Ali Saeed was proposed as the Minister of Islamic Affairs by the religiously conservative Adhaalath Party. Along with the five earlier appointments, the total number of President Yameen’s cabinet now stands at eleven. Notable seats still remain vacant, including an Attorney General, a Minister of Gender and Family and a Minister of Youth. Five earlier appointments made on Sunday include; Abdulla Jihad as the Minister of Finance and Treasury, Colonel Rtd Mohamed Nazim as the Minister of Defence and National Security, Ahmed Adheeb as the Minister of Tourism, Dhunya Maumoon Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Ameen Ibrahim Minister of Transport and Communications. President urged the newly appointed Ministers to start work as soon as possible and said a cabinet meeting will be held soon.

Former Minister of Youth Mohamed Hussain Shareef has been appointed Minister at the President’s Office.

Former Economic Minister Ahmed Mohamed has been appointed the Commissioner General of Customs.

A 100-day road map will be presented to the next cabinet meeting, to be held soon, the President said.

President has asked them to work expeditiously, to the best of their ability.

President Abdulla Yameen has asked the new cabinet members to help him execute PPM’s manifesto.

President Yameen's six new cabinet appointments today are as follows: Umar Naseer as Home Minister. Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed as Islamic Minister. Dr Mohamed Muizzu as Housing Minister. Mohamed Saeed as Economic Minister. Thoriq Ibrahim as Environment Minister. Dr Mohamed Shainee as Minister of Fisheries.

Dr Mohamed Shainee has been appointed the new Fisheries Minister and Mohamed Saeed as the new Economic Minister.

Sheikh Shaheem Ali Saeed appointed as Islamic Minister, Umar Naseer as Home Minister.

Six cabinet members are to take oath today.

Jumhoory Party leader Gasim Ibrahim, Maldives Development Alliance leader Ahmed Siyam and Dhivehi Qaumee Party leader Riyaz Rasheed have entered the President’s Office. Some Members of Parliament are also arriving at the President’s Office.

Former Islamic Minister Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has also entered the President’s Office. Shaheem has been offered Islamic Ministry.

Housing and Infrastructure Minister for Dr Waheed's government, Mohamed Muizzu has also arrived at the President’s Office.

Umar Naseer, Thoriq Ibrahim and Mohamed Saeed have arrived at the President's Office. They are believed to be the next three members to be appointed to the cabinet. Mohamed Saeed has been offered the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development.