Parliament approves appointment of Defence and Fisheries Ministers

Dr Didi was approved 40-35 after Jumhooree Party MP Gasim Ibrahim and Independents Ahmed ‘Sun Travel’ Shiyam Mohamed, Ahmed Amir, Ali Mohamed, Ismail Abdul Hameed and Mohamed Zubair voted with the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

Tholhath Ibrahim meanwhile received parliamentary consent with 50 votes in favour and 24 against.

Both the main opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) and the independently functioning opposition parliamentary group had declared their intention to reject the reappointment of Dr Didi on the grounds that he had failed to receive parliamentary consent in November, 2010.

Dr Didi was among seven ministerial appointees who did not receive parliamentary consent in November.

DRP Leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali told press last month that the party did not accept “the President appointing someone parliament has already rejected.”

In its report presented today after evaluating Dr Didi, the Government Oversight Committee – comprised of six oppositon and four MDP MPs – meanwhile recommended that his appointment be rejected on the same grounds.

The committee however recommended approving the nomination of Tholhath Ibrahim as Defence Minister.