PO: Only pro-govt. officials allowed in political posts

Only political appointees who support President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s policies will be allowed to retain their posts while the rest will be dismissed, states the President’s Office spokesperson Miuvaan Mohamed.

Several top officials from the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) were recently dismissed from political posts within President Solih’s administration.

Following difference of opinion within MDP, the party’s leader Mohamed Nasheed launched a separate movement within the party – the Fikuregge Dhirun movement. He and MPs loyal to him are preparing for the upcoming presidential election with Jumhoory Party (JP).

In a press conference Thursday, Miuvaan said political appointees are responsible for implementing the government’s policies.

He said that they must be dismissed if they reject the policies, and that it did not constitute threatening their job security.

“I repeat,  no one is being threatened with their job,” he said.

“The president is fulfilling his pledge of maintaining the coalition. Officials ready to serve the government sincerely have that opportunity. They are serving. But, they cannot retain their posts if they hinder the running of the government.”

Members of the Fikuregge Dhirun movement, Hussain Amr Mohamed Rashad was recently dismissed as managing director of State Trading Organization (STO) and Mohamed Shifaz as minister at the President’s Office.

Miuvaan said no political appointee will be allowed to retain their position, regardless of the political party they belong to.

“Implementing government policies in the morning, and then meeting likeminded people in the evening to speak against the policies they were implementing in the morning. In simple terms, their eyes aren’t open to politics. Or they are no longer needed for their posts,” he said.

Miuvaan said that JP officials in President Solih’s administration, too, will be dismissed if they reject the government’s policies.