Flat purchased before being appointed as State Minister: Zifleena

Zifleena Hassan has stated that she bought the flat at FW Residences in Hulhumale' prior to her appointment as a State Minister at the previous administration's Gender Ministry. She stated that she has been living at this apartment for many years now.

Civil Court's ruling that Zifleena has completed payment of the flat to Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and therefore owns the flat reveals that the flat is worth MVR 3.5 million and is 1,200 sqft in area.

In a post on Facebook yesterday, Zifleena said that information about the flat had been included even in the asset declaration form that she had submitted to the President's Office on assuming the post of State Minister.

She said that the Civil Court ruling had come four years after she had taken up residence at this flat.

"I am saddened that with media reporting this story, unregistered media and social media accounts shared edited photos of me and wrongfully quoted me and said disrespectful remarks, attempting to defame me" she said.

She said that defamation efforts against her had not ceased since she had first entered the political field, adding that personal attacks against women in politics was becoming commonplace.

"Because of attacks and harassment such as this, women who enter the political arena are forced to step back for the security and safety of their children and families," she said.

In addition to having served as a State Minister during former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration, Zifleena has also filled leadership positions in Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). She also contested in the last parliamentary elections for the South Thinadhoo seat on an MDP ticket.