In a parliamentary session marked by opposition discord on Monday, the Maldives' Parliament approved only one out of the four cabinet members proposed by pro-China President Mohamed Muizzu. The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) issued a three-line red whip against the cabinet members, leading to a tumultuous parliamentary session.
While Housing Minister Ali Haidar Ahmed, Islamic Minister Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, and Attorney General Ahmed Usham faced disapproval, Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed narrowly avoided the same fate, according to local media reports.
President Muizzu, aged 45, had formally requested approval for his cabinet on November 20, just two days after assuming office. The Parliament's original vote on December 18 was disrupted when the Government Oversight Committee's report was rejected. An extraordinary session on December 30 finally paved the way for the delayed vote.
Ahead of Sunday's voting, the MDP, holding a parliamentary majority, decided to withhold approval for the four cabinet members, triggering clashes between pro-government and opposition lawmakers.
Monday's vote saw Haidar rejected with a vote of 46-24, Usham with a vote of 44-24, and Shaheem with a close vote of 31-30, along with eight abstentions. However, Saeed, subject to the same red whip, narrowly secured approval with a vote of 37-32.
The remaining 18 cabinet members, including Defence Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon and Home Minister Ali Ihusan – threatened with rejection by the MDP if disruptions persisted – received parliamentary approval.
President Muizzu, perceived as a pro-China leader, had formally requested India to withdraw its military personnel from the Maldives soon after assuming office on November 17 last year, citing a "strong mandate" from the Maldivian people.
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