News Desk
In a sudden move on Tuesday, Ibrahim Faisal, son of Parliament Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdullah, was dismissed from his position as Minister of Tourism, sparking speculation about a rift between Speaker Abdul Raheem and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
The President’s Office did not provide a reason for Faisal’s dismissal. The decision came while Speaker Abdul Raheem was in Malaysia, fueling conjecture about its timing and implications.
The President departed for the northern islands shortly after news of Faisal’s dismissal began circulating.
In an interview with Dhauru, Speaker Abdul Raheem suggested that the dismissal might be tied to his relationship with President Muizzu. “If the relationship between the President and I was strong, this would not have happened,” he remarked. He emphasized that both he and Faisal had fully supported the administration since its inception.
Mr. Faisal learned of his removal Tuesday morning while at the Ministry. The interim responsibilities of the Tourism Ministry have been handed over to the Minister of Economic Development and Trade, someone reportedly not on good terms with Faisal.
The Speaker defended his son’s performance, asserting that there were no shortcomings in Faisal’s duties. “Faisal worked hard and played a significant role in bringing this government to power,” Abdul Raheem said, adding that he did not believe Faisal had acted against the administration’s interests.
While acknowledging the President’s prerogative to make such decisions, Abdul Raheem expressed surprise over the lack of communication. “From my side, I have done nothing to harm the government or tarnish the President’s reputation,” he said.
The President and Speaker Abdul Raheem are set to come face-to-face during the opening session of the People’s Majlis on February 6, following this contentious episode. Observers are closely monitoring how the internal dynamics of the ruling Progressive National Congress (PNC) may shape these recent developments.
Notably, the ruling coalition’s primary party, the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), founded by former President Abdulla Yameen, was dissolved. A controversial membership drive led by the Home Minister subsequently positioned the PNC—the party under which President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu contested the presidential election—as the largest political party in the Maldives. The opposition has since filed complaints with the police, alleging identity theft involving the misuse of the National Identity Card Unit’s database, which also serves as the main repository for electoral data.
The development has raised questions about internal dynamics within President Muizzu’s administration. Observers note that the dismissal of a cabinet minister closely linked to the Speaker of Parliament may signal tensions at the highest levels of government.
As speculation swirls, the Speaker has dismissed the notion of malice in the decision but remains puzzled by its rationale. “I don’t know why the sudden shuffle,” he said.
Neither President Muizzu nor the President’s Office has commented further on the issue.
