Ahmed Mahloof, who served as the Youth Minister in the last MDP administration that recently left the party to join ruling PNC, has been nominated as the Maldivian Ambassador to Japan,
Mahloof signed to PNC during a mass rally held on November 14th. He left MDP, which is currently the main opposition party, on September 8th, citing it was to assume a government post: a decision which prompted huge backlash.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, on Wednesday, nominated Mahloof as the new Maldivian Ambassador to Japan in a letter to the Parliament, seeking the legislative body’s approval for his appointment for the post.
The matter has been forwarded to the Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Relations for review.
Mahloof can only be appointed to the post after approval from the Committee and a subsequent floor vote.
The post of Maldivian Ambassador to Japan had become vacant following the passing of Hassan Sobir, who last held the post, on July 28th.
Mahloof began his political career with DRP and played a key role in the formation of PPM, a breakaway faction from DRP. Although he was once a strong critic of MDP, he later joined the party following strained relations with former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom during his administration. As a lawmaker at the time, Mahloof actively campaigned against Yameen’s government.
He went on to serve as Youth Minister in the succeeding Solih administration. His tenure was briefly interrupted due to a suspension related to the MMPRC graft scandal.
Mahloof largely faded from the political scene since the end of the MDP administration. Although he was initially a strong critic of the current government, such remarks subsided shortly.
Notably, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu attended the closing ceremony of a badminton tournament organized by Mahloof in September as the chief guest.
He clapped back at the criticism against him over his decision to join the government, citing his ministerial post in the government of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was not a gift, adding his previous allies are now opposed to him.
Mahloof added that the decision was a difficult one, but did not elaborate on his reasons for making it.