Majlis committee approves Mausoom's appointment as Tourism Minister, again

People’s Majlis Government Oversight Committee has approved Dr. Abdulla Mausoom’s appointment to the post of Tourism Minister.

Members who joined the committee meeting on Monday unanimously approved the decision.

Mausoom was reappointed to the post on Sunday, after he resigned earlier.

Questions were raised over the validity of his appointment to the post of new Tourism Minister after the committee approved his appointment to the post the first time round.

During the debate stage after the committee report was submitted to the parliament floor, members questioned how he was appointed to the post as he was still serving as the Managing Director of a private business, when he took oath of office.

This, the lawmakers stressed, is against the country’s constitution.

The committee initially decided that Mausoom should retake his oath of office as the validity of his appointment has been questioned.

Dr. Mausoom had served long in the tourism industry, having filled the post of tourism department administrative officer from 1985 and even worked in the tourism promotion board established to help the country overcome the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami.

He also served as a Tourism Minister and Deputy Minister previously.

During the administration of Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Mausoom served as the Environment Minister.

Dr. Mausoom was appointed to the post following the dismissal of former Tourism Minister Ali Waheed over claims of sexual harassment against employees.

It has been a while since the position has been vacant, and Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail had been the acting Tourism Minister for a while.