Committee narrowly approves Health Minister

Parliament Committee on Oversight of the Government has narrowly passed to endorse Dr Mariyam Shakeela as Minister of Health.

The committee’s chair Vilufushi MP Riyaz Rasheed was forced to cast his vote today to break the deadlock at the committee meeting held this morning.

Five pro-government MPs; Ungoofaaru MP Jaufar Daud, Thulusdhoo MP Ibrahim Waheed, Hoarafushi MP Mohamed Ismail and Hulhudhoo MP Mhamed Shahid, along with MP Riyaz Rasheed voted in favour of the granting consent to Dr Shakeela.

Dhidhoo MP Abdul Latheef Mohamed, who joined Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) after being elected as an independent, abstained his vote.

Opposition MPs who voted against the Health Minister are; JP member Keyodhoo MP Moosa Nizar, MDP member Meedhoo MP Rozaina Adam, MDP member Maradhoo MP Ibrahim Shareef and JP member Maafannu-west MP Mohamed Falah.

President Abdulla Yameen Abdulla Gayoom changed the name of Ministry of Health and Gender to the Ministry of Health, revised the ministry’s mandate and re-appointed Dr Mariyam Shakeela as Health Minister on 1 July.

At the committee meeting today, the committee members strongly criticized a Supreme Court ruling in 2010, which forbids parliament committees to summon and interview cabinet minister for evaluation before granting consent.