MP calls for Azeez nomination to be withdrawn

Galolhu North MDP MP Mohamed Ibrahim has called on President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to withdraw the nomination of former MP Abdul Azeez Jamaal Abu Bakr for reappointment as Information Commissioner.

The five-year term of the current Information Commissioner expires on June 6, 2013. The President submitted Azeez’s name to Parliament as the sole nominee from among those who applied for the post.

In a statement issued on Parliament letterhead, Mohamed said the implementation of the Access to Information Act was weak during Azeez’s first term as Information Commissioner from 2014 to 2019.

The MP cited several concerns, including the use of confidential discussions instead of public hearings required under the law.

He also referred to Right to Information assessments by Transparency Maldives, which found that 53 per cent of cases were excluded and 16 per cent received no response.

According to Mohamed, requiring information to be submitted within a specified period allowed state institutions to withhold information. He also alleged that the responsibility of ensuring that state agencies disclosed information was not carried out during Azeez’s tenure.

The statement said subsequent commissioners introduced changes to the system, including holding public hearings.

Mohamed said these changes should be maintained and criticised Azeez for supporting a return to previous practices.

“While these advances made over the years must be preserved and maintained, anyone who says he will again choose the old arcane methods will suck this whole system backwards and restrict the right to information,” Mohamed said.

Transparency Maldives has also called for Azeez not to be appointed as Information Commissioner.