Govt. fails to publicize details of political appointees despite a week since President’s statement

The government has yet again failed to disclose the details of political appointees, despite a week having passed since President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu stated the information would be made public.

The President, speaking at a record 14-hour-long press conference on May 3^rd, said he was unaware that the details of current political appointees and dismissed political appointees were being withheld as something confidential.

Despite the President’s remarks, the government has refused to disclose the details of both current political appointees and political appointees who have been dismissed.

Notably, the government had challenged the decision by the Information Commissioner’s Office (iCOM), the RTI watchdog authority, ordering the President’s office to disclose the information at High Court – an appeal which the government withdrew after coming under intense scrutiny. However, the government has yet again filed another case with the High Court challenging the disclosure.

When questioned regarding the matter at the press conference, President Muizzu said he was unaware the information had been withheld as confidential. He also said he was unaware there was a High Court case challenging the disclosure.

He repeatedly reiterated that the information should not be withheld.

“I learnt about this here,” he stressed, adding his office would provide information in writing.

The President acknowledged that he had access to the information and, while it would not be disclosed immediately, assured that it would be made public without significant delay.

While Sunday marks just over a week since the press conference, the President’s Office has yet to disclose the information. The President’s Office has also failed to respond to queries regarding when the information would be disclosed.

Capping the number of political appointees at 700 is a key electoral pledge of President Muizzu. However, according to reliable sources, the actual number of political appointees is estimated to be between 2,000 and 3,000.

President Muizzu announced his decision to remove 228 political appointees, aligned with the government’s cost reduction measures, on October 15, 2024.

On November 1st, President’s Office Spokesperson Heena Waleed announced during a press conference that the government had dismissed 248 political staff, which included seven state ministers, 43 deputy ministers, 103 senior political directors, and 69 political directors.

The President’s Office has refused to disclose the details of dismissed political appointees, despite being instructed to do so by iCOM on January 23^rd, and has since challenged the Commission’s decision with the High Court.