Maldives’ new Cabinet sworn in

MALDIVES: The Maldives’ new Cabinet consisting of 14 members was sworn in here by Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed Wednesday night, one day after the archipelago’s new President Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) assuming office.

The 14 Ministers are from six political groups within the coalition government led by Anni’s Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) .

Anni’s MDP got five posts, including finance, defence, fisheries and agriculture, health, as well as housing, transport and environment. Ali Hashim, a businessmen and former vice chairperson of the MDP, was sworn in as the Minister of Finance and Treasury. Ameen Faisal became the Minister of Defence.

Former Finance Minister Gasim Ibrahim of the Republican Party was appointed as the Home Minister.

The party’s Ahmed Ali Sawad got the important Tourism Ministry while Fatimath Dhiyana Saeed received the post of Attorney General.

Saeed and Health Minister Aminath Jameel are the two lady members in the new cabinet.

Ahmed Shaheed, the former foreign minister who campaigned for the independent presidential candidate Hassan Saeed in the presidential elections, returned to the Foreign Ministry. Mohamed Jameel, also from Saeed’s team, became the Minister of Civil Aviation and Communication.

Vice-president Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik’s National Unity Party got the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Economic Development. Hassan Latheef from the Social Liberal Party was appointed as the Minister of Human Resources, Youth and Sports.

Abdul Majeed Abdul Baree from religious conservative Adaalaath Party was swore in as the Minister of Islamic Affairs.

The cabinet list was announced on Sunday and endorsed by the People’s Majlis (parliament) on Wednesday. Male, Thursday, Xinhua