Galolhu North MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudoo) has called for the withdrawal of Abdul Azeez Jamal Aboobakuru’s nomination for the post of Information Commissioner.
Abdul Azeez, currently a Minister of State at the Ministry of Heritage, was nominated for the role by President Mohamed Muizzu.
In a statement, the MP noted that during Abdul Azeez’s previous tenure as Information Commissioner, enforcement of the law was weakened. He alleged that Abdul Azeez prioritized private consultations over public hearings, despite the law explicitly mandating open proceedings.
The MP highlighted findings from a Right to Information (RTI) assessment conducted by Transparency Maldives during Abdul Azeez’s term, which revealed that 53 percent of submitted cases were dismissed and 16 percent received no response at all.
Furthermore, he pointed out that while the law does not require individuals to state a reason when requesting information on fundamental rights, Abdul Azeez mandated the use of "Mahoali" forms that forced applicants to justify their requests. This practice, the MP argued, provided state institutions with opportunities to withhold information. He also noted that the responsibility of ensuring proactive disclosure by state agencies was entirely neglected during that period.
In contrast, the MP observed that since 2019, subsequent Information Commissioners have conducted hearings openly, transforming the RTI system into a practical and trusted tool for the public.
He emphasized the need to protect and maintain the progress made in recent years, warning that appointing Abdul Azeez—who has indicated a preference for returning to previous secretive practices—would cause the entire system to regress.
The Parliament’s Committee on Independent Institutions interviewed Abdul Azeez yesterday and approved his name for the floor after awarding him a score of over 75 percent.
As Abdul Azeez was the Maldives' first Information Commissioner, questions have been raised regarding his eligibility for a second term under the current legal framework.
The RTI Act stipulates that the term of the Information Commissioner is five years. The law further states that the term may be extended to a total of ten years only if Parliament approves a second consecutive term for the incumbent.
Legal experts and critics argue that since Abdul Azeez has already completed a full five-year term in the past, the wording of the Act precludes him from being reappointed to the position.
