Hashim fired; Munawwar nominated as new central bank governor

President Mohamed Muizzu on Monday dismissed central bank governor Ali Hashim after parliament passed a recommendation to remove him from the post and sought parliamentary advise on appointing former finance minister Ahmed Munawwar as the governor of Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA).

President's Office said Hashim was sacked following the parliamentary recommendation. 

The president has sent the appointment of Munawwar, who currently serves as an advisory to the finance minister, as the governor to parliament for advice.

According to the MMA Act, the president can appoint a governor with the advice of parliament.

In Monday's sitting, 63 out of 72 MPs voted in favour of the recommendation to dismiss Hashim, while nine voted against it.

Parliamentary finance committee was informed for a third day last week that Hashim, who was ill, would not be able to attend the meeting. 

Then governor was first given the opportunity to respond to the committee last week.

In a letter to the committee, Hashim said last week that the government has always been advised on the then situation to avoid an economic disaster and the current situation is because the authorities did not pay attention to the advice and guidance given by the central bank and international financial institutions.

According to the MMA Act, the governor is removed from office by the president in consultation with parliament. According to the rules of the parliament, the committee that will hold the MMA governor accountable is the parliament’s Public Accounts Committee.

Deputy speaker of the parliament, Dhiggaru MP Ahmed Nazim submitted the motion. 

In his case: