Parliamentary committee backs Hashim as next central bank governor

Public Accounts Committee of Parliament has approved the President’s nominee, former Finance Minister Ali Hashim as the next governor of central bank, Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA).

Ali Hashim had served as Finance Minister from 2008 to 2010 during former President Mohamed Nasheed’s administration.

He currently serves on the five-member President Action Committee charged with providing counsel to the President.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih nominated Hashim to the vacant central governor post and sent his name for parliamentary approval on Wednesday, August 28.

Hashim passed scrutiny of the Public Accounts Committee and was approved for the post with the unanimous consensus of all committee members present on Sunday.

The Parliament had allowed members of the general public to weigh in their opinion regarding the nomination, which was taken into consideration before the committee made its decision.

The top post at central bank has been vacant since the resignation of former governor Ibrahim Naseer amid allegations he influenced the work of the Financial Intelligence Unit, on July 24.