Parliamentary Committee on Government Oversight has begun reviewing the appointment of Dr. Abdulla Mausoom as the Minister of Tourism.
Dr. Mausoom was presented with his letter of appointment at a special ceremony held at the President's Office on August 6. However, his appointment must be approved by the Parliament of the Maldives with votes from two-third of the parliamentarians present at the sitting.
Dr. Mausoom had previously served in the cabinet, after being appointed as the Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation in 2008. During his time at the cabinet, he had also held the portfolio of Minister of Environment, Energy and Water. He has also served as a parliamentarian and as a board member of Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI).
Prior to his appointment as tourism minister, Dr. Mausoom had been serving as the High Commissioner of the Maldives to Singapore and New Zealand. He has been relieved of these duties so that he may fulfill his new cabinet responsibilities.
The position of tourism minister was vacated following the dismissal of Ali Waheed from the position on July 9 amid serious allegations of sexual harassment. Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail had been serving as the Acting Minister of Tourism until the new appointment.