Parliament today approved a new cabinet formed by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, following a major reshuffle that reduced the number of ministries.

A report by the Government Oversight Committee recommending approval of the 14 ministers was presented for debate during the sitting. However, only the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) parliamentary group leader, Ibrahim Falah, spoke before the chair closed the debate.

According to the committee, the revised ministerial mandates and appointments were endorsed unanimously at committee stage.

In the final vote, PNC MPs who hold a supermajority backed all nominees. Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) members supported some appointments but withheld support for others.

Twelve MDP MPs did not vote in favour of Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed and Heritage Minister Heena Waleed. Five MDP members also did not back Housing Minister Abdulla Muththalib and Climate minister Ali Shareef.

The reshuffle follows the sudden resignation of 10 ministers. The President’s Office said at the time that the changes were intended to better align the government with public expectations.

As part of the overhaul, several ministries were merged and ministers reappointed. The cabinet has been reduced from 20 members to 15, comprising 14 ministers and the attorney general.

The reshuffle also coincided with changes in state-owned enterprises, with several Managing Directors resigning or being removed.