Former PCB President Hamdhy appointed as Media Commission SG

Former President of the Privatization and Corporatization Board (PCB) Hamdhy Ageel has been appointed as the Secretary General of the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (MMBC).

MMBC posted on social media announcing the appointment of Hamdhy from his post at the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

The PCB was created under the Privatization and Corporatization Act, with Hamdhy being dismissed as President of the PCB board in February. He was appointed as President of PCB on 22nd November 2023.

While it is unclear as to why Hamdhy was dismissed from PCB, he was dismissed as circulars were published aimed at state owned enterprises. The circulars in question were the one released last Ramadhan where benefit funds and other gifts were not to be distributed to company employees, along with the circular stating the reduction of company expenditure. The circulars were later voided by the PCB.

Hamdhy has held a Managing Director position at Fuel Supplies Maldives and a Managing Director position at Maldives Road Corporation in the past.

The MMBC SG position has a base salary and living allowance totaling MVR 35,500 per month.

MMBC was created under the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Law, with it consisting of seven total members. The Parliament appointed three members, with the media voting for the other four members. All members have been appointed to the commission.

The three members appointed by the Parliament are former member of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and former Secretary General of the Media Council Mohamed Farshath, former President of the Broadcasting Commission Sofa Shafeeq and former member of the Broadcasting Commission Aiminath Sarahath Izzath.

As for the four members to be elected by the media, an adequate number of candidates did not apply for these specific slots, with the four individuals being elected uncontested, without the need for a formal election. Zam’ath Ahmed Waheed and Abdul Azeez Ibrahim were appointed for the Broadcasting Category, with Hussain Sageef and Simaha Naseem being appointed for the Online Category.

Farshath is the President of the Commission, with Zam'ath being the Vice President.