Pres set to share ‘most inclusive and visionary’ plans ever, says govt

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu will be sharing the most inclusive and visionary national visions ever, says a top official from the President’s Office, in a statement regarding the upcoming presidential address to the Parliament.

President Muizzu is set to deliver his first address to the Parliament on Monday.

In a statement regarding the address, Ibrahim Khaleel, the Minister for Strategic Communications at the President’s Office, said President Muizzu will share “promising and important” things with the Maldivian people.

“In this presidential address, he will share the most inclusive and most visionary national visions to be presented by a Head of State to the People’s Majlis in the country’s parliamentary history,” said Khaleel, in a brief press statement released on Sunday evening.

Earlier Sunday, President Muizzu, accompanied by Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef, visited the Parliament to check the latest preparations for the inaugural sitting.

President Muizzu took his oath of office on November 17, 2023. He asked the Parliament for approval for the 22 members of his cabinet, the next day. However, the Parliament went to recess in December without taking the vote.

The Parliament took the long-delayed cabinet approval vote in an extraordinary sitting on January 29.

While 19 out of the 22 members of the cabinet passed the vote, three were rejected. They are:

• Housing Minister Dr. Ali Haidar Ahmed
• Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed
• Attorney General Ahmed Usham

The opposition MDP – which holds a majority in the Parliament - had passed a three-line red whip the day before to reject the three ministers, as well as Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed. Saeed narrowly survived the vote on Monday.

But within hours of the vote, Usham, Haidar and Shaheem were reappointed to the cabinet, and took their oath before Justice Husnu Al Suood.