Shah Mahir resigns from post as state minister

State Minister for Health Dr. Shah Mahir has resigned from his post.

Shah, who was appointed to the post on a slot allocated for Jumhoory Party (JP), told Sun on Monday that he had already resigned from the party, therewith, did not believe it was right to hold a political post in the government on the party’s slot.

Speaking regarding the presidential elections, Shah said he resigned from a government post because he did not support the government. He refused to disclose the next candidate of his choice, when asked.

Prior to this, he had announced support for JP’s presidential candidate and leader Qasim Ibrahim, and took part in his campaign as well.

Shah was among employees of the Health Ministry who were suspended in connection to the ventilator corruption case that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), following their investigations, decided not to seek charges against him.

JP rejected President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s invitation to form a coalition for 2023’s presidential election, following which members of the party in the cabinet, Tourism Minister Dr. Abdulla Mausoom and Minister at the President’s Office Ahmed Sameer publicly announced their support for President Solih. 

Mausoom left JP earlier this month, and joined main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) on Saturday night.

With Mausoom’s shift to MDP, there are only two members from JP in the cabinet; Transport Minister Aishath Nahula and Fisheries Minister Dr. Hussain Rasheed Hassan. While Nahula has been actively participating in her husband, Qasim’s campaign events, Dr. Hussain Rasheed Hassan has yet to announce an official stand despite accompanying President Solih on campaign visits to islands.