Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal has been dismissed from President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s cabinet, with the portfolio temporarily assigned to Economic Development Minister Mohamed Saeed. The President’s Office confirmed the decision on Tuesday but did not disclose the reasons behind Faisal’s removal.
Faisal, who was appointed to the position on 17 November 2023, faced criticism throughout his tenure. Public concerns included allegations of nepotism due to his status as the son of Abdul Raheem Abdulla, Speaker of Parliament and chairperson of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC). Faisal dismissed these allegations, asserting that his appointment was based on the President’s confidence in his abilities.
The decision to remove Faisal follows reports of friction between President Muizzu and Abdul Raheem. Initially seen as one of the President’s closest allies, Abdul Raheem later stepped down from his advisory role to contest the 2024 parliamentary elections, where he secured a supermajority for the PNC and was elected Speaker.
During his tenure, Faisal faced criticism regarding his qualifications to manage tourism, a key pillar of the Maldivian economy. Questions arose after a public speech drew attention to his lack of proficiency in English, prompting him to hire a language coach. Despite these challenges, Faisal oversaw a significant milestone: the Maldives recorded two million tourist arrivals in a year for the first time under his watch.
Faisal, who holds a degree in Business Management with a thesis on tourism, acknowledged his dismissal in comments to the media. He expressed plans to pursue a more active role in politics moving forward.
The dismissal has reignited scrutiny of internal dynamics within the ruling PNC, as tensions between the party’s leadership become increasingly evident. No further details regarding Faisal’s removal have been provided by the President’s Office.
