The People’s Majlis has approved Dr. Abdulla Mausoom as the newly-appointed Tourism Minister.

During Sunday’s sitting, 69 members voted in favor of approving the appointment.

The parliament’s Government Oversight Committee approved his appointment on August 31 for a second time.

Mausoom was reappointed to the post last week, 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 the first time, 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 which the lawmakers stressed, was 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.