Majlis committee approves candidates for PIC and MMA, rejects prosecutor general nominee

Parliament’s independent commission’s oversight committee has interviewed and decided upon appointees to the posts of Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) Governer, and Prosecutor General (PG), as well as a member of the Police Integrity Commission (PIC).

The committee’s Deputy Chair Rozaina Adam told Minivan News that the committee had approved nominees based on a grading scheme, and that each nominee needed to get over 75 percent of marks to be approved.

“Nominees for two of the posts we discussed yesterday received the required percentage of marks, the other didn’t. Approvals are based on a preset grading scheme, and not on members’ opinions,” Rozaina explained.

The committee approved Dr Azeema Adam for the post of Governer at MMA and Aiminath Rukshana to be a member of the five member PIC.

Presidential nominee for the post of Prosecutor General, Maumoon Hameed, did not receive sufficient marks for approval.

Dr Azeema Adam has served at the MMA since 1991. She is currently serving as Assistant Governor and Chief Economist, Monetary Policy, Research and Statistics at the MMA.

Adam has a PhD in Economics from the University of Canberra and a Masters Degree in International Development and Finance from the University of Leicester.

Her nomination for the governors role came after Yameen had previously forwarded the name of Ibthishama Ahmed Saeed, an associate director at the Bank of Maldives, before withdrawing it amid suggestions the candidate was not qualified for the role.

Previous governor, Dr Fazeel Najeeb, resigned in December citing personal reasons – though he urged the government to reduce expenses and refrain from printing money during his final press conference.

Presidential nominee to the police watchdog body, Aiminath Rukshana, also received the required 75 percent marks. Rukshana is originally from Liyaage in Maafannu ward of Malé City.

Presidential nominee to the post of prosecutor general, lawyer Maumoon Hameed was not able to receive the required percentage of votes.

The PG’s position has been vacant since former PG Ahmed Muiz resigned from the post prior to a scheduled no-confidence vote. The duties of the PG are currently being temporarily conducted by Deputy Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem.

After a running dispute with the PG’s Office over the acceptance of cases following the expiry of the constitutionally mandated period for appointing a new PG, the Criminal Court resumed accepting new cases after repeated interventions by the Supreme Court.

President Abdulla Yameen has recently accused the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party – holder of a majority of seats in the oversight committee – of obstructing the government’s attempt to appoint a new PG.

Lawyer Maumoon Hameed is the son of the Gayoom administration’s Atolls Minister Abdulla Hameed, and the nephew of incumbent President Yameen and ruling Progressive Party of Maldives leader Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

MP Rozaina Adam stated that the committee will present the report on its decision to the parliament speaker on Tuesday.

A final decision on the appointments will be taken through a parliamentary vote. The vote has thus far not been scheduled on agenda.

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