At Sangu TV event, Nasheed highlights contradiction between MDP’s past allegations and Wednesday’s vote

Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusaan was approved on Wednesday, with many members of the opposition MDP parliamentary group voting in favour.  

It is noteworthy that Ihusaan has been one of the most accused and criticised ministers in the administration of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.  

However, during Wednesday’s vote, most MDP MPs supported Ihusaan. Only Galolhu South MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem and Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad (Fittey) voted against him.  

Kanditheemu MP Ameen Faisal and MDP Parliamentary Group Leader Ibrahim Nazil did not participate in the vote.  

Alongside public criticism, several MDP members have also condemned the MPs who voted in favour of Ihusaan.  

Meanwhile, speaking at a rally marking the 11th anniversary of Sanngu TV, Nasheed highlighted that his own MDP parliamentary group had voted to approve Ihusaan.  

“There is no way to say that the government is being held accountable by Parliament. The opposition party has said that it is very good,” Nasheed said.  

He added that journalists are the ones trying to hold the government accountable.  

“Journalists are here to bring the origin and truth of these things to the people,” he said.  

Nasheed urged journalists to verify information before publishing.  

“It’s more important to get it right than to get it fast,” he said.  

The MPs who voted in favour of Ihusaan on Wednesday were:  

• South Hulhumale' MP Dr. Ahmed Shamheed  

• North Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu)  

• Hanimaadhoo MP Abdul Ghafoor Moosa (Gapo)  

• Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir  

• Thoddoo MP Hussain Sameer  

• Keyodhoo MP Mohamed Niushad  

• Maavah MP Ahmed Shakir  

• Maradhoo MP Ahmed Didi (Pele)  

Kudu and Shamheed have since apologised to the public.  

Eight MDP MPs voted in favour of Ihusaan. The MDP had previously submitted a no‑confidence motion against him in February last year.  

Ihusaan’s case was filed in Parliament over allegations that he submitted fake forms to add members to the PNC using the Department of National Registration (DNR) database.  

The MDP has also made several other allegations against Ihusaan in the past, including awarding a project to the blacklisted Malaysian company Bastinet while an expat system was in place to manage foreign worker affairs.  

In addition to accusing Ihusaan of exerting political influence over police investigations, the MDP has previously accused him of obstructing probes into criminal activities involving government‑linked individuals and repeatedly hindering police operations.  

There were several other accusations as well. In April last year, after a girl fell from a rooftop in Henveiru and sustained serious injuries, and in the case of Zakiyya Moosa, who was found dead in Holhudhoo, Noonu Atoll, the MDP raised allegations against Ihusaan in both incidents.  

Similarly, the MDP has accused Ihusaan of interfering with peaceful demonstrations, influencing criminal investigations involving journalists, repeatedly revealing confidential information of victims, and concealing key details.  

Some of the party’s former senior leaders have also said it makes little sense for the MDP to vote for Ihusaan after all these allegations.