Parliament has approved former Minister of Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment Ahmed Mahloof as the Maldives’ next ambassador to Japan, following his nomination by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and review by the legislature’s Foreign Relations Committee.
During Wednesday’s sitting, 60 MPs voted in favour of Mahloof’s appointment, confirming him to the diplomatic post in line with standard procedure for ambassadorial nominations. The committee had previously examined the president’s proposal before submitting its report to the full chamber for debate.
Mahloof’s confirmation follows his switch to the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) on 14 November, after leaving the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). He served as Minister of Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment in the MDP-led administration of former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
Announcing his departure from the MDP last month, Mahloof described the decision as difficult, noting he had been largely absent from party activities since the 2023 presidential election. Although previously critical of President Muizzu’s administration on social media, he was later seen alongside the president at a public event.
The appointment drew criticism in Parliament. Velidhoo MP Mohamed Abbas of the Maldives Development Alliance argued ambassadorial positions should be offered to young, educated individuals rather than those who frequently change political allegiance. Abbas said ambassadors should maintain integrity and not “switch parties with every administration,” adding that it was inappropriate to “bring in people who bow to the ruler of that time and represent the country in front of the world’s developed nations.” He abstained from the vote.
Mahloof’s career spans multiple parties and roles. He began in the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party during President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s tenure, later representing South Galolhu in Parliament for the Progressive Party of Maldives. He joined the MDP in 2018, serving as youth minister until the end of the Solih administration, and now moves into his first ambassadorial role.
