President Abdulla Yameen has appointed new board members to Public Service Media (PSM) after Parliament’s Committee on Independent Institutions approved an amendment to the Public Service Media Act.

The amendment regarding the appointment of PSM's board members was proposed by the ruling coalition.

President of the Privatization and Corporatization Board, Mohamed Nizar publicized the new list of PSM board members via twitter on Wednesday.

The board members are Acting Managing Director Ibrahim Khaleel, Deputy Managing Director Mohamed Ikram Abdul LatheefChairperson Mariyam Azra Ahmed, Directors Aishath Hafeez and Ibrahim Rasheed.

Ibrahim Umar, who filled the post of Chairperson of the board previously, has been removed as well as Mahmood Ali, Aminath Shaayan Shahid, Ibrahim Hilmy and Mohamed Shagil.

According to the new amendment which was proposed by MP for Hoarafushi constituency Mohamed Ismail, the state broadcaster does not require parliament approval to appoint members to its board. It was passed by the committee of Independent Institutions and sent for parliament review on Wednesday with all pro-government parliamentarians at the committee meeting having voted in favor.

While the amendment states that PSM must appoint board members within 10 days after the bill comes into effect, the President comprised the new board members within four days.

The amendment further states that PSM board members will be appointed by the Privatization and Corporatization Board with recommendations from the President. While the previous regulation states that its managing director and deputy are to be selected through a vote by the directors board, the proposed amendment notes that the managing director and deputy will be selected by the Privatization and Corporatization Board.

The amendment has also extended the membership term from four to seven.