Committee to decide on new governor's appointment by Monday

Parliamentary finance committee on Tuesday passed a motion to decide on the appointment of former finance minister Ahmed Munawwar as the governor of the central bank of Maldives on or before Monday.

Munawwar, who is currently the advisor to the finance minister at the ministerial level, was sent for appointment as the governor of the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) on Monday. The matter was referred to the finance committee for consideration in Tuesday's sitting.

The finance committee chairperson, Maamigili MP Gasim Ibrahim, said the interview could not be scheduled as Munawwar is currently abroad. He said a letter has now been sent to the relevant institutions to clarify the requirements for approval.

After discussions among the members, Baarashu MP Ibrahim Shujau moved that a decision be taken on the matter before Monday next week. The motion was passed unanimously by the committee.

President Mohamed Muizzu on Monday dismissed central bank governor Ali Hashim after parliament passed a recommendation to remove him from the post. 

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: