The Mohamed Muizzu administration’s decision to appoint an additional Deputy Minister to the Health Ministry amid economic challenges has sparked widespread controversy and debate, particularly as the administration has recently announced fiscal reform measures.
Local media Adhadhu first reported the appointment of Nazleen Najeeb as Deputy Health Minister. Najeeb, who is the president of the Gaafu Alifu Villingili island branch of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), also ran in the PNC’s internal primaries for the parliamentary elections but did not secure the party ticket.
The decision comes at a time when international financial organisations have called on the Muizzu administration to implement strict austerity measures and fiscal reforms to address the ongoing economic downturn. The rise in political appointees has drawn criticism on social media, with critics arguing that these actions are counterproductive, particularly amid a shortage of foreign currency.
The Muizzu administration has faced significant criticism over these actions. While President Muizzu pledged to keep the number of political appointees below 700, the opposition claims this number is in the thousands. Ibrahim Ameer, Finance Minister during the MDP-led Ibrahim Mohamed Solih administration, alleges that the Muizzu administration currently employs around 4,500 political appointees.
According to the MDP, the administration’s current salary expenditure is higher than at the end of last year. The biggest spenders on salaries, in terms of state-owned enterprises (SOEs), are Fenaka Corporation, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), and national carrier Maldivian. The administration has not disclosed the exact number of political appointments.
