Abdul Azeez Jamal Aboobakur, nominated by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu yesterday as information commissioner, said he played a significant role in drafting the Right to Information (RTI) Act and acted “in accordance with the intent of the law” during his previous tenure as information commissioner.
As current Information Commissioner Ahmed Ahid Rasheed's term is coming to an end on 6th September, President Muizzu sent Azeez's name to the Parliament yesterday for consideration of his appointment to the position. The Independent Institutions Committee interviewed Azeez today regarding parliamentary approval.
In response to a question from South Galolhu Constituency MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem during the interview, Azeez said that he believes in the Right to Information Act as a right and that he encouraged the establishment of the act.
The Office of the Information Commissioner was established under the Right to Information Act, with Azeez being the first appointee as the Information Commissioner.
“The efforts made regarding the Right to Information Act during my previous term were not publicized. My work was guided by the intent of the law, not merely by what is written in it. The intent is to make information available to the public,” Azeez said.
Azeez said that when he was the Information Commissioner, he worked to source information to the public and that no one can say he did not provide any information.
He also said that he worked to provide information using diplomacy, and that a hearing was held near the end of his term because he had no other choice as he was not provided information that was requested from within the Elections Commission (EC).
"What some people do is that when a case is filed, they want to hold a public hearing just to publicize it. I will still never hold a hearing unless I absolutely cannot get the information," said Azeez.
MP Meekail's question stated that some people criticize Azeez's adequacy as the Information Commissioner. While stating that people had said he held a public hearing to provide information near the end of his term, Meekail asked what Azeez's thoughts are on the matter. He also asked for Azeez's opinion on the Right to Information Act.
Meekail said that people have stated that when Azeez was the Information Commissioner, the initial form for the submission of the Right to Information was not adequate.
In response to the accusations, Azeez said that when he was the commissioner, he worked to acquire and provide information using diplomacy and that the purpose of the act is to not use power.
"I know that the purpose of the act is to provide information to the people," said Azeez in his defense.
