The Parliament's Government Oversight Committee has approved Dr. Hussain Rasheed Hassan's appointment as Minister of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture.
Dr. Hussain Rasheed was previously the Minister of Environment, which was renamed the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology in May during an administrative reorganization of the government. While Aminath Shauna was appointed as the new minister for the revamped ministry, Dr. Hussain Rasheed was appointed as Minister of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture following the resignation of Zaha Waheed from the position.
Although approval for Dr. Hussain's appointment was sought from the parliament, the matter was put on hold after it came to light that Dr. Hussian Rasheed held shares in a local company, and questions were raised over the legitimacy of his oath. A legal opinion from the Parliament's Counsel General was then sought to decide on how to proceed with the matter.
A letter issued by the Economic Ministry has confirmed that Dr. Hussain Rasheed no longer holds any shares in any local company. The Government Oversight Committee's Chairman and Maafannu West MP Mohamed Falah told AVAS that Dr. Hussain Rasheed gave up his shares in the company. However, even if he did have shares in a company, it would not affect his appointment as a cabinet minister as per Attorney General Ibrahim Riffath's counsel on the matter, said MP Falaah.
During a committee meeting held Friday, Dhangethi MP Mohamed Nazim said there are no obstructions to approving Dr. Hussain Rasheed's appointment. His statement was seconded by Fuvahmulah Central MP Hussain Mohamed Didi. Eight committee members vote in favor of his appointment in the vote that followed.
The final decision on the matter will be taken by the Parliament floor.
