Jumhoree Party (JP) leader Qasim Ibrahim on Tuesday issued a list of his shadow cabinet members that does not involve any members from Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).
Qasim placed himself as president of the shadow cabinet, and Dr. Mohamed Jameel, the current administration’s first vice president, as his shadow vice president.
His choice for cabinet members mainly consist of members of his party, as well as that of Adhaalath Party and the former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s faction of ruling Progressive Party of Maldives.
His list is as follows:
Attorney General: Noorul Salam Aboobakur
Defense Minister: Ali Waheed
Home Minister: Abdulla Riyaz
Finance Minister: Dr. Mahmood Saudhee
Foreign Minister: Dunya Maumoon
Arts and Culture Minister: Yumna Maumoon
Housing Minister: Imran Abdulla
Tourism Minister: Col. Mohamed Nazim
Economic Minister: Mohamed Rasheed
Islamic Minister: Ali Zahir
Youth and Sports Minister: Mohamed Maleeh Jamal
Fisheries Minister: Dr. Hussain Rasheed
Health Minister: Dr. Shah Mahir
Higher Education Minister: Dr. Ahmed Fayaz
Labour Minister: Abdulla Kamaludeen
Transport Minister: Ameen Ibrahim
Gender Minister: Shidhaatha Shareef
Communication Minister: Dr. Abdulla Mausoom
Education Minister: Dr. Ahmed Asim
Qasim said he published his list of shadow cabinet members because the opposition coalition parties have not yet even announced their presidential candidate. However, Qasim said his party will still stand behind the candidate if the coalition announces one.
After his announcement, Abdulla Kamaludeen on his Facebook page expressed disapproval that Qasim had picked him as his shadow labour minister without asking him first.
On the same day, Adhaalath Party stated that they will remain with the opposition coalition for the 2018 presidential election and will not join any other coalition.