Fazeel nominated as envoy to China after PNC primary defeat

Former central bank governor Dr. Fazeel Najeeb, who lost the main ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) primary for the parliamentary elections, has been nominated by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu as the new ambassador to China.

The letter sent by the president seeking approval for Fazeel’s appointment was read at the Parliament on Monday.

Fazeel had contested the PNC primary held in January for the South Fuvahmulah seat. However, he received 190 votes, trailing far behind Ibrahim Hussain, who won the primary with 447 votes.

Fazeel had previously served as the governor of Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) and as a state minister at the Foreign Ministry.

The move to appoint Fazeel as Maldives’ top envoy to China comes as President Muizzu’s administration fosters closer ties with Beijing.