Tourism Minister Dr. Mausoom joins MDP

Tourism Minister Dr. Abdulla Mausoom signed for main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) on Saturday night.

His membership form was received by the party’s presidential candidate, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Mausoom was appointed Tourism Minister in a slot allocated for Jumhoory Party (JP) in the coalition government, following the dismissal of Ali Waheed who previously held the post after he was accused of sexual misconduct.

JP rejected President Solih’s invitation to form a coalition for 2023’s presidential election following which members of the party in the cabinet, Tourism Minister Mausoom and Minister at the President’s Office Ahmed Sameer publicly announced their support for President Solih. Back then, Mausoom said he was backing President Solih, without any force, as his re-elected was the best course of action for the nation.

Nevertheless, Mausoom remained without resignation from JP for a while. His resignation from the party came on August 7^th.

Prior to his appointment as the Tourism Minister – Mausoom was serving as the Maldivian Ambassador to Singapore. He had filled the role of Tourism Minister back in former president Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom’s administration, near end of his term.

Mausoom was also elected to the parliament as the representative of Kelaa constituency on Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP)’s ticket. He left the party to join JP in 2014.

Prior to this, he had filled senior posts in JP’s leader Qasim Ibrahim’s Villa Resorts company.

With Mausoom’s shift to MDP, there are only two members from JP in the cabinet; Transport Minister Aishath Nahula and Fisheries Minister Dr. Hussain Rasheed Hassan. While Nahula has been actively participating in her husband, Qasim’s campaign events, Dr. Hussain Rasheed Hassan has yet to announce an official stand.