Information on State Ministers removed from President's Office website
Amidst growing public demand for transparency regarding political appointments, the President's Office has removed the details of State and Deputy Ministers from its official website. Despite President Muizzu’s pledge to reduce the number of political appointees as a cost-cutting measure, the government’s decision to withhold this information has drawn widespread public criticism over its lack of transparency. Furthermore, the administration continues to refuse to disclose details regarding political positions even when requested through Right to Information (RTI) applications.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu speaking at a presser. | Presidents Office
The President's Office has removed the details of state and deputy ministers serving in President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's administration from its official website.
The update to the President's Office website comes shortly after President Muizzu announced that future appointments to political positions within the government will be reserved for individuals with high educational qualifications and professional competence.
Prior to this decision, the President's Office website featured the names and photographs of several state ministers and deputy ministers. However, even then, the information for all political appointees at those levels had not been fully documented on the site. Following the recent changes, information regarding any official at these ranks is no longer available on the website.
Since assuming office, the current administration has consistently withheld accurate information regarding political appointments, keeping these details confidential. The President's Office has also refused to respond to Right to Information (RTI) requests submitted under the Freedom of Information Act. Consequently, the government is facing mounting public criticism over its lack of transparency.
During a press conference held on April 20, 2024, President Muizzu announced that specific criteria will henceforth be applied to the appointment of State Ministers and Deputy Ministers across government ministries. Furthermore, the President stated that efforts are underway to downsize the administration as part of broader measures to reduce government expenditure.
At the time, the President announced that efforts were underway to reduce the workforce of state-owned enterprises by 33 percent, including the dismissal of employees based on performance evaluations. However, since that announcement, the administration has continued to appoint individuals to various political positions under different designations.
The government has previously extended numerous job offers to individuals as a means of securing votes during recent elections. Acknowledging this practice, President Muizzu stated that employment will no longer be granted for political purposes or in connection with election campaigns. However, public concern is mounting as details regarding numerous political appointments have been removed from the President's Office website, a move critics argue undermines the administration's commitment to transparency.
