Pres. caught lying about disclosing details of political appointees

It has come to light that the president lied when he claimed that he would instruct Minister of Finance and Planning Moosa Zameer to provide journalists with written information on political appointees.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said he would instruct Minister Zameer to provide information on political appointees to journalists in writing during a lengthy press conference held on 3 May 2025.

At the press conference, one of the main questions raised by journalists was why the Muizzu administration has not disclosed the number of political appointees to date. Reporters repeatedly requested that the figure be made public. In response, the president stated that he would release information about political appointees in the President’s Office later that same evening.

While the president said he would share information about the number of political appointees as soon as information is available, even after nine days have passed, the number of political appointees has still not been disclosed. The government has not yet revealed why the number of political appointees is being kept secret.

At the press conference, the president gave an estimate rather than an exact figure, stating that the government employs approximately 49,000 people, with political appointees making up around three percent of that total. However, he did not provide a specific number.

Several individuals have been saying that most of what President Muizzu said to journalists that day does not contain any truth and that they were deliberate lies.

Political appointees are employees appointed under the power granted to the president by Article 115(f) of the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives. Political appointees are appointed directly by the president.