Committee summons CSC for questioning regarding First Lady Sajidha’s job flexibility

Parliament’s Independent Institutions Committee has decided to summon Civil Service Commission (CSC) members for questioning, citing multiple complaints following the commission’s decision to find a way to offer First Lady Sajidha Mohamed flexibility in working at the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA).

At a meeting on Wednesday, Dhaandhoo MP Abdulla Yauqoob said that multiple civil servants were complaining of an alleged attempt to tailor-make a post at the MFDA to allow Sajidha to remain at the office.

He suggested meeting with CSC members to discuss the complaints.

Baarah MP Ahmed Abdulla agreed with Yauqoob, and said that offering Sajidha flexibility was of great concern to other civil servants.

“I believe it would be best for this committee to address this concern, to check the truth behind this, and whether the decision or the arrangement is something that aligns with the law,” he said.

He said that CSC members would be either summoned for questioning or told to answer questions in writing.

Addu Meedhoo MP Rozaina Adam, the committee’s chair, said that she had shared the complaints with the CSC via text message, and that the commission had responded with a one-word reply – “noted.”

Yauqoob said that it would be quicker to summon CSC members for a meeting rather than waiting for written responses.

The motion to summon CSC members for questioning passed with the unanimous vote of all members present – all of whom were from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) – the main opposition party.

Sajidha is a senior scientific officer at MFDA.

CSC said last month that after President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu took office, Sajidha, who is currently on leave, asked for flexibility in fulfilling her civil service job, in order to accommodate her new duties as First Lady.

The commission said they would make alternative arrangements to ensure Sajidha can continue to work at MFDA, once she returns from leave.

In previous media interviews, Sajidha, who has years of experience in the health sector, said she wished to continue to work.