Former Youth Minister Ahmed Mahloof has left the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) to fill a senior government post.
In his letter to party Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail, Mahloof said he was leaving the MDP "to serve in a state position."
"Thank you for the opportunity to serve with you since 2015. I am particularly grateful and happy to have had the opportunity to work in President [Ibrahim Mohamed] Solih's cabinet as a partner in the development he has brought to the Maldives," he said.
Mahloof apologized to MDP members who might be unhappy with his decision to leave the party.
Mahloof began his political career in the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. He later joined the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) - also founded by Gayoom.
Mahloof signed up for the MDP after the 2018 presidential election. However, he was working with the MDP during the government of former President Abdulla Yameen.
He was the Youth Minister in the MDP government. Reports say he is expected to fill a senior post in the Youth or Sports Ministry of the current administration.
