The sacking of deputy minister for higher education Ismail Zabeeh in breach of the coalition agreement by the allied parties was unacceptable, the Maldives Reform Movement (MRM) said on Saturday.
The government confirmed Zabeeh's dismissal, who was on an MRM slot, but did not disclose any reason.
In a statement, MRM expressed concern over "the removal of an educated person such as Zabeeh from his post without a reason."
"The MRM is extremely concerned about the manner of the sudden dismissal. The party assures the public that Zabeeh has not committed any act to warrant dismissal. Zabeeh is someone who performed the duties of his post with much care, truthfulness and sincerity," the statement read.
The party's statement also noted some of Zabeeh's services and initiatives when he worked at the ministry.
"He arranged for student loan repayment in monthly installments for amounts that grew into large figures with students unable to pay for various reasons, and recovered millions owed to the state," the party said.
His dismissal, while handing out political appointments like gifts to a large number of people who lack the qualifications, was detrimental to the nation, the statement also said.
The governing coalition's MRM, which is led by former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, has not yet decided its stance on the next presidential election.
After he was handed the Maldivian Democratic Party's (MDP) ticket, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih wrote letters inviting the parties in the ruling coalition - Jumhooree Party, Adhaalath Party and MRM - to work together in the presidential election. Only the Adhaalath Party accepted the invitation and decided to form a coalition.
The JP decided to contest separately and awarded its ticket to party leader Qasim Ibrahim. Despite the MRM not making an official decision, the party's leadership has recently criticized the government and President Solih's decisions.
Speaking about the coalition on March 21, President Solih said the coalition agreement should be terminated if the parties are unable to remain together until the presidential election.
"We have an agreement to work together until the end of the term, that is the literal interpretation. However, if we are unable to remain together when we move forward towards the coming presidential election, I believe the agreement should be brought to an end."
The president said it does not mean that there is no coalition at present. However, there was no need for the agreement if it could not be implemented, the president said at the time.
Despite senior government officials on JP and MRM slots not being dismissed so far, this is expected to change with the decision to sack Zabeeh.
