Former opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s Deputy Leader Mohamed Shifaz and former Minister of State at the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure, Akram Kamaludeen have been given Ministerial and State Ministerial positions.

Shifaz, who also represented Baarah constituency in parliament was appointed to the post of Minister at the President’s Office and Kamaludeen was appointed as Minister of State at the Ministry of National Planning and Infrastructure on Thursday.

With Shifaz’s appointment, there are currently three Ministers at the President’s Office.

The other two Ministers at the President’s Office are former Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Naseem and former MDP’s Deputy Chairperson Ali Shiyam.

While there are currently eight individuals in state minister level at the President’s Office, this is the first time a Minister of State has been appointed to a Ministry.

Both Shifaz and Kamaludeen were handed their letters of appointment on Thursday.