Muizz says cabinet will be appropriate size, will merge some

Opposition PPM-PNC candidate Dr Mohamed Muizz has said that he will keep the number of ministers at an appropriate level and he intends to merge some ministries even if a ministry is set up for councils and two separate ministries for fisheries and agriculture.

With three days to go for the second round of the presidential election on Saturday, Muizz spoke about the formation of the cabinet in the fourth episode of Atoll Time’s sister outlet, Dhauru's Presidential Talkshow.

"Overall, the average [number of ministers in the cabinet] in Maldives to date is around 14, 15, 16. It will not go up from that range to 20, 30 or 40," he said.

Despite the creation of new ministries, Muizz said his cabinet would have almost the same number of ministers as in previous governments. If some ministries are merged as Muizz plans to, the cabinet will not be enlarged even if new ministries are created.

"Our education manifesto would have given high priority to higher education. To provide higher education to all students. However, I do not believe that there should be a separate ministry to do that," Muizz said.

So, he is considering merging the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education. Muizz said the mandates of the two ministries are being merged with the assistance of education experts.

"I have said I want to reduce [the cabinet] by merging two [ministries]. But I have not decided yet”.

Muizz, who won 46% of the vote in the first round, has also been questioned about his cabinet appointments.

"We have not yet determined who will be appointed to the cabinet," he said. However, he assured that "the person appointed will be capable in any position”.

Muizz has so far promised to create two new ministries, and some allege that he has done so to secure political positions for some of his closest associates.

Muizz denies this. He assures that he "wouldn't do anything like that at all". Muizz said he wanted to do very sincere work for the people.