Maniu, state minister at Home Ministry, resigns

Maniu Mohamed, who was recently appointed a state minister at the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology in a reshuffle from his original post as the Commissioner General of Customs, has resigned from his post.

The President’s Office confirmed Maniu’s resignation to Sun without disclosing the reason behind the move.

Maniu was suddenly dismissed as Commissioner General of Customs last Monday and replaced by Fathimath Dhiyana who had been serving as his deputy.

He was then appointed state minister at the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology.

His reassignment came shortly after he faced public criticism over recent statements made at a parliament sitting by senior Customs officials claiming anyone who willed to smuggle weapons into Maldives could easily find the means for it.

He also faced widespread criticism earlier when he gold-plated his private automobile. Maniu removed the plating and publicly apologized after intense criticism.