President Abdulla Yameen has brought changes to a number of ministries and state institutions in the aftermath of Colonel (ret.) Mohamed Nazim’s dismissal as defence minister.
Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture Dr Mohamed Shainee was today appointed to the vacated acting health minister’s position, while Minister of Home Affairs Umar Naseer has been appointed president of the Local Government Association (LGA).
Additionally, the Department of Immigration and Emigration – under Nazim’s remit as part of the defence ministry since December 2012 – has been reallocated to the Ministry of Economic Development.
Meanwhile, the President’s Office has revealed that Ibrahim ‘Bandhu’ Saleem has been removed from the post of Maldives Airports Company Limited’s managing director. Saleem confirmed this to Minivan News stating that no reason had been given for his dismissal.
President’s Office Spokesman Ibrahim Muaz explained that the president has the power and authority to appoint and dismiss political appointees and that specific reasons for a decision would be shared with the media when they were available.
Yesterday’s dismissal of Nazim came as a result of a police investigation into illegal weapons being kept in the minister’s home. He had been in the position since February 2012 – one of the first appointments made by President Dr Mohamed Waheed following the controversial resignation of President Mohamed Nasheed.
Nazim had been given the health portfolio after pro-government MPs blocked the renomination of Dr Mariyam Shakeela to the cabinet in August last year. Shakeela later alleged a conspiracy and smear campaign to remove her from office.
At the time of his dismissal, Nazim was also facing challenges from within the Local Government Authority, to which President Yameen had appointed him in November 2013. Last week fellow board members voted to remove him from the position of president following a contested vote of no-confidence.
Meanwhile, Haveeru has published corruption allegations against Nazim’s brother, State Trading Organisation Managing Director Adam Azim.
The paper reported that it has obtained a copy of an Anti-Corruption Commission report which says Azim attempted to use the state-owned company’s money to influence the Football Association of Maldives’ congress.
Haveeru suggested the report revealed attempts to have a relative appointed to the post of FAM president through sponsorship money given to football clubs with voting rights in the congress.
Elsewhere, the Judicial Services Commission today elected Supreme Court Justice Ali Hameed as its chair.
Hameed was appointed to the judicial watchdog by President Abdulla Yameen yesterday after the commissions Supreme Court representative Adam Mohamed resigned from the commission on Sunday (January 18) citing personal reasons.
Related to this story
Nazim dismissed as defence minister, replaced by Moosa Ali Jaleel
(0)Dislikes
(0)Related Posts
Trapped in the Maldives: foreign nationals stranded due to employers, state failing to resolve visa issues- Cabinet reassesses Maldives’ membership in Commonwealth as UK welcomes talks
- Youth minister dismissed
- “Help me gain my freedom”: ex-immigration chief’s passport held in stalled corruption charge
- Singapore firm to advise on airport expansion
- INIA capacity will increase threefold with new runway and terminal, says economic council
No need for excuses and allegations..
As President , the president can do what he damned will. There are consequences but there is no need for excuses..
change them all. But show results.
He is thinking cloning Adeeb..
Liars, thieves, scam artists... every single one of them. Dishonesty is the basis of modern Maldivian culture. None of these "new developments" are even slightly shocking.