Govt appoints first female Customs CG, Maniu reassigned

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on Monday has appointed Fathimath Dhiyana, as the first-ever female Commissioner General of Customs.

Dhiyana replaces Yoosuf Maniu Mohamed, the first Customs CG of the current administration, who was reassigned as the State Minister of Homeland Security and Technology.

Dhiyana was appointed as Customs CG by a presidential decree in accordance with Article 6(b) of Maldives Customs Act.

She was appointed as a Minister of State, according to President’s Office, serving as the new CG of Customs. Prior to her appointment, she was the Deputy Commissioner of Customs.

Her appointment was made at formal ceremony held at the President’s Office on Monday afternoon, where President Muizzu handed the letter of appointed to the new Customs CG.

Notably, this is the first instance where a female would be leading a Maldivian law enforcement body. Customs authority has never been led by a female CG in its 134-year lifespan.

Maniu’s reassignment has come not long after he faced public criticism over recent statements made at a parliament sitting. Senior Customs officials, during a parliament committee meeting said that anyone who willed to smuggle weapons into Maldives can easily find the means for it.

The outgoing Customs CG faced widespread criticism earlier when he gold-plated his private automobile. Maniu removed the plating and publicly apologized after intense criticism.