Maldives Police Service (MPS) has been returned under the oversight of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The decision to remove the police institution from the authority of the Ministry of Home Affairs was met with immense public criticism.

A letter was addressed to Minister of Home Affairs Imran Abdulla, by the President’s Office on October 14. The letter cites that the police institution has been removed from under the ministry’s charge with the ending of the arrangement where police operations are overseen by the ministry under the Maldives Police Act, after new law was enacted.

The letter, signed by Chief of Staff at the President’s Office, Ali Zahir, reveals that the decision was reached as the Police Service Act came into effect on March 27 with which the management of the police institution is not required to fall under a ministry.

The letter was leaked earlier this week, provoking public criticism.

The President’s Office Chief of Staff on Wednesday addressed another letter to the home ministry, instructing the arrangements to undertake the duties as the minister overseeing operations relating to the police institution, in a way that ensures the operations adhere to the Police Service Act.

Attorney General Ibrahim Riffath had earlier stated that despite the decision, the ministry is still being held responsible over the matters of the police institution.

According to Article 242 of the Maldives Constitution, “each security service shall be under the responsibility of a Minister, who shall be answerable for its operations to the President and to the People’s Majlis.”