Committee OKs 22 Cabinet ministers

The Parliament’s Government Oversight Committee voted to approve President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s Cabinet on Saturday, a crucial decision which had remained stymied at the committee stage for weeks.

The vote took place in a committee meeting held on Saturday morning, after the Parliament went into recess this week – marking the first time for the Parliament to go into recess without approving a new Cabinet.

Though the main opposition MDP members had previously spoken about calling for a separate vote for each of the 22 members of the new Cabinet, no such proposal was put forth during Saturday’s meeting – which was attended by 10 members.

Thimarafushi MP Abdulla Riyaz, a political from MNP, suggested voting in approval of all 22 Cabinet ministers as one. The motion was seconded by Central Hithadhoo MP Ahmed Rasheed.

Five pro-government MPs voted in favor of the motion, while MDP lawmakers abstained.

Committee chair, Ibrahim Falah announced the motion had passed with a majority vote.

Opening the meeting, Falah shared a letter received by the committee from a private citizen – former MP Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra).

In the letter Ibra asked the committee not to approve the appointment of Social Minister Dr. Aishath Shiham and Attorney General Ahmed Usham – who he said damaged his business.

But Mahibadhoo MP Ahmed Toriq (Tom) – a political from the ruling PPM-PNC, asked that the committee approve the Cabinet first, and table the letter for later.

Ihavandhoo MP Mohamed Shifau – from MDP – urged the committee not to make a rushed decision, and approve the Cabinet after careful consideration.

But after a debate, the committee ultimately decided to approve the Cabinet.

President Muizzu made a formal request for the approval of his Cabinet on November 20, two days after the new administration took office.

The Parliament had been scheduled to vote on the Cabinet on December 18, but the original committee report was sent back to the committee, after Aslam decided the report was incomplete, and because the committee hadn’t approved the mandate for government ministries.

The delay in approval for the new Cabinet had sparked criticism against the MDP – which holds a majority in the Parliament. Several MDP parliamentarians have been vocal in their disapproval of some of the new ministers.

MDP suffered a blow to its majority on Thursday, after 12 of its lawmakers left the party for the main ruling PNC.