Tourism Minister Ali Waheed has defended the president of the Maldives Broadcasting Commission (Broadcom), after she faced backlash for hosting a government event.

Mariyam Waheedha hosted the “Burabi” event held at Dharubaaruge last week, where the tourism ministry announced the islands to be leased for tourism as well as celebrated its accomplishments.

Speaking on the matter at a press conference held on Wednesday, the minister defended her saying that Mariyam did not host an event by a political party

He added that he does not believe that there is an issue with Mariyam hosting the event, or that she had violated the broadcasting commission’s code of conduct in doing so.

Waheed further expressed disappointment over likening her to a former Broadcom member, claiming that this particular official was caught arranging chairs at an event hosted by then-ruling party. However, Fathmath Zaina maintains that the event was hosted by the President’s Office, for senior citizens.

Mariyam’s decision to host the “Burabi” event is to be investigated by the parliament’s committee on independent institutions, after it commences work in 2020.

While the tourism minister defended the Broadcom president by claiming that her hosting a government function is not an ethical misconduct, he had also said that he was not personally aware of her being hired to host “Burabi” until the function began.