Political appointee at Economic Ministry signs to PPM

Former member of Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) National Council Ahmed Niyaz, who is currently serving as a Senior Executive Director at Economic Ministry has signed to opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).

His membership application has been presented to PPM’s leader, former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom.

Speaking to Sun after joining PPM, Niyaz said that he decided to leave MDP over the current administration’s failure to fulfill pledges, ensure justice for murders and as the government works to defend people disrespecting the religion and the prophet.

“(I) joined PPM as the government has failed to fulfill pledges. No justice for murders. Have not even been able to recover monies lost in the MMPRC graft scandal even after pledging the recovery. Only charging certain people. The remaining are still in the government, and continue to steal,” he had said.

“The President’s Office called today, instructing me to voluntarily resign from my post. I told them I would not. That they should send letter,” he added.

Subsequent to Niyaz’s signing to PPM, the President’s Office has informed him of his removal from the post.

A letter sent to Niyaz signed the President’s Office’s Chief of Staff Ali Zahir, read that the president had instructed to inform Niyaz of his removal from the Senior Executive Director post at Economic Ministry under the powers vested to the president by law.