Parliament today approved the appointments of Dr Ibrahim Didi as Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture and Tholhath Ibrahim Kaleyfan as Minister of Defence and National Security.
Dr Didi was approved 40-35 after Jumhooree Party MP Gasim Ibrahim and Independents Ahmed ‘Sun Travel’ Shiyam Mohamed, Ahmed Amir, Ali Mohamed, Ismail Abdul Hameed and Mohamed Zubair voted with the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).
Tholhath Ibrahim meanwhile received parliamentary consent with 50 votes in favour and 24 against.
Both the main opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) and the independently functioning opposition parliamentary group had declared their intention to reject the reappointment of Dr Didi on the grounds that he had failed to receive parliamentary consent in November, 2010.
Dr Didi was among seven ministerial appointees who did not receive parliamentary consent in November.
DRP Leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali told press last month that the party did not accept “the President appointing someone parliament has already rejected.”
In its report presented today after evaluating Dr Didi, the Government Oversight Committee – comprised of six oppositon and four MDP MPs – meanwhile recommended that his appointment be rejected on the same grounds.
The committee however recommended approving the nomination of Tholhath Ibrahim as Defence Minister.
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...at least Didi has a voice comparative to the privious minister or acting minister.
...the first step Didi should take is to STOP the closure of the agricultural nursery which services over 80% of the farmers all over the country..in addition to making agriculture a viable means of income for communities..
...as for fisheries which has been tainted by corruption, unrealistic regulations, poor cold chain and transport logistics, we need some concrete changes and improvements or our neighbour sri lanka will continue enjoying our european and asia markets!!
...welcome back didi, but remember we are watching you....
I guess Gasim has now realized that following the old man Gayoom and Tas will lead him no where. It is time for him to move to the center and support the government. After all he is the leader of the democracy in the country.