Parliament rejects ex-judge Mahaz for tax tribunal despite top committee score
President Muizzu had sent seven names to Parliament on Thursday for the two vacant posts on the Tribunal, with Mahaz listed as the first-choice nominee.
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Parliament has rejected the appointment of former Supreme Court Justice Mahaz Ali Zahir to the Tax Appeal Tribunal, despite his receiving the highest marks from the Judiciary Committee’s evaluation.
President Mohamed Muizzu had sent seven names to Parliament on Thursday for the two vacant posts on the Tribunal, with Mahaz listed as the first-choice nominee.
The Judiciary Committee of Parliament reviewed the candidates and recommended Mahaz for approval on Tuesday. However, during Wednesday’s sitting, his name was rejected when put to a vote.
A total of 41 members voted against his appointment, all of them from the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC). Only four members voted in favour, while most MDP members abstained. Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir did not participate in the vote.
Those who voted in favour of Mahaz were:
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1-
Ibrahim Nazil, MDP Parliamentary Group Leader and MP for Hithadhoo South
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2-
Hussain Sameer, MDP MP for Thoddoo
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3-
Mohamed Shameez, PNC MP for Madaveli
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4-
Ibrahim Didi, PNC MP for Feydhoo South
Following Mahaz’s rejection, Parliament approved Ibrahim Afeef and Shaufa Ibrahim for the two available seats. Afeef received 52 votes, while Shaufa secured 54 votes. No members voted against their appointments.
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) — which holds a government majority — had dismissed Mahaz and another Supreme Court judge in early May. The decision was endorsed by the PNC-controlled Parliament on 14 May, amid concerns raised by legal associations and international observers about the dismissal process.
Mahaz had described his removal as unlawful and accused Attorney General Ahmed Usham of influencing the decision.
President Muizzu’s decision to include Mahaz among his nominees for the Tax Appeal Tribunal was met with criticism from opposition lawmakers, who questioned the administration’s consistency after previously backing his removal from the bench.
