Ministers, top officials and government supporters gathered to protest outside Parliament today after the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and The Democrats decided not to approve some ministers in President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's cabinet.
A decision on approving ministers is the Parliament's responsibility and voting on the appointees was scheduled for 1:30 pm. MPs from the Progressive Party of Maldives-People's National Congress (PPM-PNC) obstructed the sitting as a protest began outside in defense of the ministers.
State ministers, deputy ministers and officials at ministerial rank were among the protesters along with some members of the public, according to photos and videos circulating online and information from an Adhadhu reporter in the area.
Speaking to the press at the protest, Abdul Raheem Abdulla, the most senior minister in the government, characterized the refusal to approve the ministers as bringing the government to a halt. Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was behind the move, he alleged.
The Democrats decided to vote against approving Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer, Attorney General Ahmed Usham, Housing Minister Dr. Ali Haidar and Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed. MDP decided to approve Zameer but to reject Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed.
The ruling PPM-PNC coalition said the opposition's refusal to approve ministers amounted to openly obstructing services to the public.
In a statement expressing displeasure over the decision, the coalition said the opposition was failing to provide the cooperation necessary to govern and doing so without evaluating the performance of the ministers or allowing them any opportunity.
Political parties are obliged to approve ministers appointed by the President and to allow them to discharge the duties of office, the coalition said.
It is the duty of a person duly elected by the people as President to create ministries and offices needed to fully implement and carry out his policies and to appoint capable people to run those ministries and offices, the statement noted. There was no doubt that the ministers appointed by the President were qualified and experienced individuals who would fulfill their responsibilities, it added.
"The Progressive Congress Coalition does not doubt that these ministers work while prioritizing the benefit and welfare of the public. They will do all the work necessary to fully implement the pledges and the vision that the President showed to the public in order to come to government," the coalition said in a statement.
