Abdul Latheef Mohamed member of parliament from the ruling Progressive National Congress (PNC) for Dhidhoo constituency, warned that ministers who fail to demonstrate sincerity towards the government and President Mohammed Muizzu will be dismissed.
Latheef made the comments during a parliamentary session discussing the committee report on the approval of ministers, following changes made to the cabinet last December. He emphasised that ministerial appointments are not merely formalities but are made with the expectation that ministers will serve the public effectively.
“We are not approving ministers in a traditional manner. This is not customary. We are approving them for a very noble purpose. These are ministers who are supposed to serve the people,” Latheef said.
Latheef expressed concern about the growing complaints from the public and parliament members regarding ministers who fail to respond to the needs of their constituencies.
He cautioned ministers that while they may be approved by parliament, their positions could be revoked if they fail to meet expectations. “I want to tell the ministers that even if we give their approval, it can be withdrawn. If they have to be dismissed, they can be dismissed,” he stated, pointing out that some ministers seem complacent due to their close ties with the president.
Latheef also referenced past instances where ministers were removed after no-confidence votes in the 2018 parliament, emphasising that proximity to the president would not guarantee job security.
“Ministers think that they can stay in office for a long time because they are too close to the president. That is not the case. If we cannot sincerely serve and work for this government, we should not expect ministers to remain in office,” he added.He concluded by calling on ministers to prioritise their duties to the public and remain committed to the administration’s goals. “It is a mistake to think that I can remain in office because I am too close to the President,” Latheef said.
