CS Knowledge Base

The Cabinet of the Maldives consists of the Vice President of the Maldives, ministers responsible for the different ministries, and the Attorney General. Under Article 116 of the Constitution, the President has discretion to establish ministries and determine their areas of jurisdiction, subject to submission of that information to the People's Majlis (the unicameral parliament) for approval.^[5]: 41 Under Article 129, Cabinet members are appointed by the President and, except for the Vice President, those appointments require the approval of the People's Majlis.^[5]: 46 The Vice President, who is elected jointly with the President, serves as a member of the Cabinet without separate parliamentary approval.^[5]: 46

The appointment process is set out in Article 129 is as follows:^[5]: 46

1. The President appoints and names his Cabinet Ministers, including the Attorney General.
2. Within 7 days of the appointment, the President must submit the nominee's name to the Parliament for approval and confirmation.
3. The Parliament votes to approve or not.

The Cabinet exercises its executive authority in conjunction with the President, as outlined in Article 115(f) for the proper functioning of his office.^[5]: 39 Further, the ministers are given responsibility for each institution and authority established by the government or the Parliament, excluding independent institutions.^{[5]: 50–51}

The Constitution outlines the general and executive authority of the Cabinet, and as under Article 132, these responsibilities include;^{[5]: 47–48}

• To recommend and assist the president in;
  • Determining the general policies of the State in all areas of government activity and to supervise and implement such policies in accordance with the Constitution.
  • Formulating the general policies of the government in National and International matters, and to direct, review and coordinate the political, economic, and social development of the Maldives.

• To advise and recommend draft bills and proposals to the president before the preparation of submission of such bills to the parliament.

• To direct, review and coordinate any work of the Government.

• To ensure good relations and smooth functioning between the Government and other organs of the State in their areas of responsibility.

• To prudently and carefully manage any of the assets of the State that is within their areas of responsibility.

• To promote, protect and uphold rule of law, and defend public safety and the public interest.

• To perform any other duties specifically authorised by the Constitution and as required by law where parliament has enacted any such law.

The Constitution also places restrictions on Cabinet members. Under Article 136, a member of the Cabinet may not hold another public office or office of profit, engage in business or professional practice, undertake other income-generating employment, or hold a financial interest in transactions involving the State.^[5]: 50 Article 138 further requires each Cabinet member to submit an annual declaration of property, business interests, assets and liabilities to the Auditor General.^[5]: 50 Article 140 provides that a member of the Cabinet is to be made responsible for each government authority or institution, other than independent institutions, and is accountable for its operation.^[5]: 50

Cabinet members are individually and collectively responsible to the President and also to the People's Majlis, and must provide information to the Majlis on matters under their jurisdiction when requested. Article 98 further states that the People's Majlis may require the presence of Cabinet members to answer questions under oath and produce documents relating to the performance of their responsibilities.^[5]: 32

The Addressing of Questions to Cabinet Ministers Act 2005 regulates the procedure for questioning ministers in the People's Majlis. Under the Act, ministers may be questioned on matters falling within their official responsibilities and must inform the Majlis in writing of their ministry's responsibilities within 30 days of taking office. A member wishing to question a minister must give 14 days' written notice through the Speaker. Where a question does not require detailed figures or supporting information, the minister answers orally; where detailed material is required, the minister may provide an oral summary and submit the fuller information in writing.^[6]

If a minister refuses to answer, or is alleged to have misled the Majlis, the matter may give rise to a no-confidence motion. Under Article 101 of the Constitution, such a motion must be moved by at least ten members of the People's Majlis stating the reasons, the minister must be given at least 14 days' notice, and the minister has the right to defend himself orally and in writing before the Majlis.^{[5]: 34–35}

After Mohamed Muizzu appointed the members of the cabinet and sent them to the parliament, majority of the members were approved but three weren't. Ali Haidar Ahmed, Ahmed Usham, and Mohamed Shaheem were rejected by the parliament.^[15] The rejection later caused a brawl in parliament between the MPs.^[16] After the three ministers were rejected, Muizzu re-appointed them, which MPs called that Muizzu was undermining the power of the parliament.^[17] In the 20th parliament, the ministers were approved.^[18]

On 14 April 2026, as a result of the government's losses in the local election and including the Constitutional Referendum the following ten cabinet ministers resigned en masse:^[13] Thus, Muizzu appointed four new ministers and merged the remaining ministries.^[14]

• Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel
• Defence Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon
• Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim,
• Family Development Minister Aishath Shiham
• Local Government Minister Adam Shareef
• Agriculture and Animal Welfare Minister Maryam Mariya
• Youth Minister Ibrahim Waheed
• Tourism Minister Thoriq Ibrahim
• Higher Education Minister Ali Haidar Ahmed
• Dhivehi Language Minister Adam Naseer Ibrahim