Parliament approves Azeez as Information Commissioner

The Parliament on Wednesday approved the appointment of Abdul Azeez Jamal Abubakar, the Maldives’ first Information Commissioner and currently a State Minister at the Heritage Ministry, as the next Information Commissioner.

Azeez was approved with 47 votes in favour, while 11 members voted against his appointment.

The Independent Institutions Committee, which reviewed his candidacy, also recommended his appointment after he scored above 75 percent in the committee’s evaluation.

The President nominated Azeez for the post as the five-year term of the current Information Commissioner expires on June 6. Although multiple candidates applied for the vacancy, only Azeez’s name was forwarded to Parliament.

Responding to questions from committee members, Azeez said the purpose of the Right to Information Act is to ensure access to information for the public, and he would work toward that goal “through diplomacy.” He said he would consult with state institutions to facilitate disclosure and hold public hearings if information is not made available.

Azeez noted that he was part of the parliamentary committee that drafted the RTI Act, adding that the original intention of the law was for state institutions to proactively disclose information.

Azeez previously served as Information Commissioner from 22 July 2014 to 22 July 2019. He has also served as the Member of Parliament for Maavah Constituency and worked in the education sector for more than 22 years. In 2020, he received the National Award for his contributions to Dhivehi language and literature.

However, Transparency Maldives and members of the public have expressed concern over his reappointment, noting that many cases submitted during his first term were dismissed and several hearings were held behind closed doors.