The government is planning to dismiss several people in political posts at ministries and government companies, Adhadhu has learned.
More than one source with knowledge of the matter confirmed to Adhadhu that the move is intended to reduce expenditure on political posts as part of cost-cutting measures.
The government began efforts to reduce expenditure after settling matters of the new People's Majlis due to be sworn in next week. At a meeting in Muleeage yesterday, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu nominated his preferred choices as the Speaker of Parliament, Deputy Speaker and leaders of the People's National Congress (PNC) parliamentary group.
There are no obstacles to electing the President's nominees to the parliamentary positions as the PNC and coalition partners have a supermajority in the incoming Majlis.
The reduction in political posts will mainly involve deputy ministers, political directors and posts in government companies. Similarly, the government has also decided to dismiss employees hired by some companies ahead of the parliamentary elections.
However, the sources who provided information to Adhadhu did not reveal the identities of the political appointees facing dismissal. The government has yet to comment on the matter.
The decision to downsize political appointments came after the opposition alleged that expenditure on political posts has reached record levels. The Finance Ministry's records also show that expenditure on state employees has increased.
The government has denied the allegations. But verification is not possible as the total number of political appointees has not been disclosed.
Notably, over the past 24 hours, some officials were dismissed and transferred to other posts and some deputy ministers were suspended.
The dismissed officials included and Fathimath Thaufeeq (Kudi), Managing Director of the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), and Ahmed Zuhoor, chairman of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC). Ahmed Shamaah, who was dismissed as Managing Director of the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) on Tuesday, was later appointed as State Minister for Fisheries.
The list of suspended officials includes Deputy Sports Minister Hussain Shifaz and Deputy Heritage Minister Moosa Wajudhy.
