Mahaz given most marks from committee

The Judiciary Committee has given the most marks to former Supreme Court Judge Mahaz Ali Zahir, with the acknowledgment that he is to be appointed as a member of the Tax Appeal Tribunal. 

In the list that was sent to the Parliament that contained the names of the people who were nominated for the Tax Appeal Tribunal post, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu had put Mahaz's name at the very top.

After the six individuals on the list had been vetted, the Judiciary Committee report requested that two of the individuals who scored 75 percent and above should be considered for approval.

Five people were included in the report, with Mahaz being at the top with 97 percent.

Baa Atoll MP and member of a special parliamentary committee Ibrahim Afeef was in second with 91 percent.

In the interview conducted by the Judiciary Committee yesterday Mahaz stated that even though there are only two months left for the terms of the current Tax Appeal Tribunal members, he applied for the position as he was interested in seeing how the system worked.

Mahaz said, as he was answering a question that was asked of him from a member, that tax issues would not be difficult for him. Mahaz went on to say that most of the tax related cases have been closed by him during his time in the Supreme Court. 

"Taking everything into account, it [Tax Appeal Tribunal issues] does not pose much of a challenge. And so, I thought this was a good opportunity to express my interest in order to see how this system works, perhaps not for two months but for even one month," said Mahaz.

Answering a question from a member during the interview, Mahaz said that he applied to the Tax Appeal Tribunal's member slot after they had announced it for the fourth time.

"I would always read and check the Gazette, even during my time at the Supreme Court. As far as I remember, I applied the fourth time the Tax Appeal Tribunal had made its announcement, I think. When I saw it, I figured they were having difficulty in appointing someone," said Mahaz.

Judiciary Committee member and Hulhudhoo PNC MP Mohamed Shahid had questioned Mahaz about his interest in applying for the Tax Appeal Tribunal. Upon beginning his queries, Shahid stated that the position will see an end to it in two months.