State minister Latheef sacked amid push to reduce political appointees

Abdul Latheef Ahmed (Udhares Latheef) has been dismissed from his role as a state minister the Sports Ministry.

Latheef told Sun that he received his letter of termination from the President’s Office on Wednesday.

He said that he was shocked to receive the letter, which he said came “without any prior warning whatsoever.”

Latheef said that the letter citied a government policy on reducing political posts as the reason for his dismissal.

He added that he had performed his responsibilities as a state minister with the utmost sincerity.

“I was informed of my termination via a letter sent by the President’s Office. The letter states I was dismissed under the government’s policy on reducing political posts. I received no prior warning. The letter expresses gratitude for my service. Nothing else,” he said.

Latheef was a key figure in actively promoting President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s policies. He initially serviced in the administration as a state minister at the Youth Ministry, before getting transferred to the Sports Ministry following the merging of the two ministries back in April.

He has also served on the Clemency Board back in former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s administration.

The President’s Office has made no official comment regarding Latheef’s dismissal.

Confirmation of Latheef’s dismissal comes the same day Dr. Abdulla Fairoosh announced his resignation from the role of state minister at the Home Ministry.

Fairoosh said he made the decision after “careful consideration”, but did not specify a reason for the move.