Minister Shiyam to also contest for PNC’s vice presidency

Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam has also decided to contest for vice presidency of the ruling People's National Congress (PNC).

Reliable sources have confirmed to Sun that Shiyam intends to contest the post.

Ahead of the PNC Congress elections scheduled for September, six other candidates have also expressed interest in contesting for the party's Vice President positions. They are:

• Asma Rasheed, Central Maafannu MP
• Mohamed Hussain Shareef (Mundhu), the government’s Chief Spokesperson
• Mohamed Saeed, Economic Minister  
• Abdulla Rafiu, Youth Minister
• Ibrahim Shujau, Baarah MP
• Fathimath Saudha, Nilandhoo MP

Among the candidates, Saeed, Mundhu, Shujau, and Shiyam currently serve as Vice Presidents of the party.

The candidacies of Asma and Mundhu for senior party positions come against the backdrop of previously reported tensions between Asma and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. Reports that emerged late last year claimed the President was dissatisfied after Asma urged constituents who wish to share their views during a planned meeting with the President to notify beforehand, which was seen as an attempt to silence dissent. She was subsequently removed from her position as Chair of the Social Committee, however, has since been reappointed.

Further internal developments involving Asma emerged in April this year after an audio recording of a phone conversation, in which she allegedly expressed dissatisfaction with the government, was leaked. Shortly after the recording surfaced, her son, Mundhu, who had been as the Maldives’ Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, and her sister, Dr. Salma Rasheed, the Maldives' Permanent Representative in Geneva, were removed from their respective positions.

However, Salma was later reinstated as Permanent Representative in Geneva, while Mundhu was subsequently appointed Chief Spokesperson at the President's Office with ministerial rank.