MP Ibrahim calls on President Muizzu to withdraw Abdul Azeez's nomination for Information Commissioner
25 އޯގަސްޓު 2026 | އަންގާރަ 11:16Member of Parliament Mohamed Ibrahim has warned that the appointment of Abdul Azeez Jamal Abu Bakr as Information Commissioner would undermine the right to information and lead to a regression of the entire system. Highlighting that 53 percent of cases were dismissed during Abu Bakr's previous tenure, the lawmaker called for the withdrawal of his nomination.
Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu), the Member of Parliament for the North Galolhu constituency. | Majilis
Member of Parliament for North Galolhu, Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu), has called on President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to withdraw the nomination of Abdul Azeez Jamal Abu-Bakur for the position of Information Commissioner.
In a press statement released on Monday, Member Ibrahim emphasized that the right to information is the most fundamental power granted to citizens to hold the government accountable by monitoring the expenditure of public funds and the decision-making processes of key policies. The statement further warned that without the full realization of this right, corruption would flourish and the ability to hold state institutions accountable would be severely diminished.
Highlighting the weak enforcement of the law during the tenure of the first Information Commissioner, Abdul Azeez Jamal Abu-Bakr, the member noted that the former commissioner prioritized private consultations over public hearings. The member further stated that despite the law not requiring individuals to provide reasons when seeking a fundamental right, Abdul Azeez mandated that the purpose for requesting information be disclosed through "Maholi" forms. Additionally, citing findings from an RTI assessment conducted by Transparency Maldives during that period, the member pointed out that 53 percent of the cases submitted were dismissed, while 16 percent remained unanswered.
However, he noted that since 2019, the Information Commissioner's Office has gained public trust by conducting its hearings open to the general public.
Member Ibrahim has called for the withdrawal of Abdul Azeez's nomination, warning that appointing an individual who advocates for the reinstatement of previous secretive practices would undermine the entire system and severely restrict the public's right to information.
