Muaz steps down as PNC SG, says party must align with people’s pulse

Defense Ministry State Minister Muaz Haleem has resigned as Secretary General of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC).

Muaz was appointed to the post on January 13 last year.

In a post on X, Muaz said he stepped down to help shape the party’s work “in accordance with the pulse of the people” and to strengthen efforts to achieve better results.

He wrote that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, who also serves as PNC leader, is working to improve the party’s operations and align its work with public sentiment. Muaz added that the role requires someone who can dedicate more time to the party.

Muaz’s resignation comes after ten government ministers resigned on Tuesday, when the number of ministries was reduced from 20 to 15 and four new ministers were appointed.

ޕީޕަލްސް ނެޝަނަލް ކޮންގްރެސް (ކޮންގްރެސް ޕާޓީ) ގެ ހިންގުން ހަރުދަނާކުރައްވައި، ރައްޔިތުންގެ ވިންދާ އެއްގޮތަށް ޕާޓީގެ މަސައްކަތްތައް ބައްޓަންކުރައްވައި، ފުރިހަމަ ނަތީޖާ ޙާޞިލް ކުރެވޭ ޕާޓީއަކަށް ޕާޓީ ހެއްދެވުމަށް ޕާޓީގެ ރައީސް، ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ @MMuizzu ފައްޓަވާފައިވާ ހަރުދަނާ…

— MuazHaleem (@muazhalym) April 18, 2026

The government initiated the changes after suffering a major defeat in the local council elections held earlier this month, as well as in the referendum.

Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam said at a rally celebrating the victory of Congress candidates that the government had effectively received a “B‑grade” result in the council elections.

“The PNC does not accept a ‘B’ report. The party wants an ‘A’ report, and the President wants an ‘A’ report,” Shiyam said. He added that the President listened to the public after the election and immediately began acting on what people had expressed.

Shiyam said the most important element in a democracy is for a President to accept the people’s voice.