Government Spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef (Mundhu) has said that the resignation of 10 cabinet ministers last Tuesday was carried out at the direction of President Mohamed Muizzu.
Speaking on Public Service Media (PSM)'s 'Raajje Miadhu' program, Shareef explained that the ministers resigned in good faith to facilitate the ongoing reforms initiated by the President.
"The cabinet members who stepped down did so in good faith. When they were asked to resign, they complied to pave the way for these reforms. We have stated this very clearly in our official communications," he said.
Shareef emphasized that the resignations were not a matter of a loss of confidence, but rather a strategic move to implement changes in response to the message sent by the public to the government during the recent local council elections and referendum.
"We accept their service with great gratitude. This is not about a lack of trust in any individual. It is a change brought about as part of the reform process, acknowledging that a government must be run according to the will of the people and in response to the message they have delivered," he added.
The spokesperson further noted that few leaders possess the courage to implement such significant changes mid-term, asserting that the government's actions demonstrate Muizzu’s genuine commitment to reform.
"These are positive changes. Very few governments or leaders would find it easy to make such bold and decisive moves mid-term. It shows the President has heard the people, recognizes the need for reform, and is taking the necessary steps to improve things," Shareef said.
The ministers who resigned from the Cabinet are:
- Minister of Defence, Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon
- Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Khaleel
- Minister of Health, Abdulla Nazim
- Minister of Tourism and Environment, Thoriq Ibrahim
- Minister of Social and Family Development, Aishath Shiham
- Minister of Dhivehi Language, Adam Naseer Ibrahim
- Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare, Maryam Mariya
- Minister of Youth, Information and Arts, Ibrahim Waheed
- Minister of Cities, Adam Shareef Umar
- Minister of Higher Education and Labour, Ali Haidar
While the government maintains that Muizzu is working to reform the administration, specific details regarding the nature of these reforms have not been disclosed.
Meanwhile, the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) contends that the recent election results reflect a total loss of public confidence in the government, arguing that a fundamental shift in policy is required to correct the administration's current trajectory.
