President establishes councils within cabinet

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has established a Social Council and an Economic Council within the cabinet and charged the Vice President to head the Social Council.

The Social Council is comprised of Islamic Minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, Education Minister Dr Aishath Shiahm, Health Minister Dr Mariyam Shakeela and Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim.

Speaking at a press conference following the council's first meeting today, Islamic Minister Dr Shaheem said that the Social Council will be headed by Vice President Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed.

“The complete cabinet meets on special issues, in a manner that the President decides. Apart from that, the cabinet has been divided into two parts; the Social Council and the Economic Council. We four are Social Council Ministers. Our meetings will be chaired by Vice President Dr Mohamed Jameel,” Dr Shaheem said.