Parliament sends back appointment of Dr. Mausoom as Tourism Minister

The Parliament has sent back the appointment of Dr. Abdulla Maussom as the Tourism Minister, to the Committee without asking for a vote.

The Parliament Committee had approved the appointment of Mausoom as the Tourism Minister after the President nominated him to the role following the dismissal of Ali Waheed. 

Mausoom’s appointment was sent back to the Committee due to the fact that he was the Managing Director of business.

Speaker of the Parliament Mohamed Nasheed said that the rejection was on the advice of the Parliament’s Counselor-General.

Dr. Mausoom was sworn in as the Tourism Minister when he was still at the post of Managing Director of a company named Transmedia. This created disagreements among parliamentarians.

It was Vilifushi MP Hassan Afeef who brought the matter to the attention of the parliament. MP Afeef said that Dr. Mausoom was the Managing Director of the company when he was sworn in as the Minister. 

The MP requested to clarify the matter before a vote was heard on the appointment of Dr. Mausoom.

“If he was sworn in before he had resigned from the post, then it violates the Constitution. I cannot accept that it is a valid oath that he has taken, if so.” Said MP Afeef.

The Parliament’s Government Oversight Committee chair and West Maafannu MP Ibrahim Falah then stated that Dr. Mausoom had resigned from the post on the same day as being sworn in. 

The Speaker then made a phone call to the Counselor General Fathimath Filza regarding the matter. The Counselor General advised a valid oath to be taken before a vote was called on the appointment. 

However, MP for South Henveiru Hassan Latheef said that Dr. Mausoom had resigned before the vote was called in the Parliament, from which he did not see an issue. Addu Meedhoo MP Rozaina Adam and Kendhoo MP Ali Hussain also supported this view.

However, former attorney and MP for Thulhaadhoo Hisaan Hussain said that a valid oath was to be taken for the appointment. She said that the Minister would have taken over the duties when the letter of appointment was awarded to him or her as per the Constitution. 

A vote was called for the matter in the house before it was sent back to the Committee. 60 MPs voted in favor of the proposal.