Don't care about cabinet approval; not even trying: Abdul Raheem

The government is not necessarily seeking the approval of the ministers appointed by President Mohamed Muizzu, his Special Advisor Abdul Raheem Abdullah said on Thursday evening.

PNC Chairman Abdul Raheem said this while speaking at the party's rally at Dharubaaruge. The rally was held to mark 13 MDP MPs rolling over to join the PNC.

Abdul Raheem said that MDP's super-majority parliament, which has been advocating the introduction of democracy in the Maldives, has been delaying the approval of the cabinet of ministers appointed by the president.

"We are not even trying to get their consent now. If they want to give it or not, does not matter. Article 115(f) of the Constitution empowers the President to fulfill his responsibilities," he said.

Abdul Raheem said it would be better in one way if the ministers were not approved. Then there will be no ousting motions later, claiming no-confidence in the ministers. Therefore, the government has no concern over it and we will not sit back to see if they approve or not, he said.

He noted that the Parliament has been approving the Cabinet of every government since the establishment of the government in Maldives. However, the MDP could not 'digest' it, he said.

The parliament session ended on Thursday and the parliament went into recess, the issue of approval of ministers is still pending. A special session of the Parliament could be held to decide the issue.

The MDP lost its supermajority after 13 MPs signed up for the PNC on Thursday evening.