The Parliament majority leader, Ibrahim Falah’s sun is on the rise. He has grown closer to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, and now appears the most powerful figure within the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), after the President himself. For those on the outside, looking in, he appears more and more like how Abdul Raheem Abdulla used to be, in the early days of the incumbent administration.
Abdul Raheem had played a prominent role in President Muizzu’s administration, dating back to the two-month transitional period between when he got elected, and then took office. Abdul Raheem had a spot reserved for him at every podium. He accompanied the President on every trip he took. His relationship with President Muizzu only grew stronger after he got elected as the Speaker of Parliament. Everything the PNC did was done on his orders. He was the ultimate Number 9 striker leading the administration’s attacks.
When the PNC administration came to power, Abdul Raheem was President Muizzu’s closest ally. He was the administration’s staunchest defender. It was also he who had played an instrumental role in getting President Muizzu elected in the first place, working behind the scenes to ensure President Muizzu won the tight senate vote that got him his party’s presidential ticket.
But on January 28, the Maldivian people work up to the shocking news that Abdul Raheem’s son, Ibrahim Faisal, had been sacked from President Muizzu’s cabinet, in which he had served as tourism minister. The move came after weeks of speculation regarding a fallout between Abdul Raheem and President Muizzu. The expulsion of Faisal was seen as the expulsion of Abdul Raheem himself.
“We have no choice but to move forward by facing each and every situation with patience.”
This is a direct quote from Abdul Raheem’s speech at a rally in his home island of L. Fonadhoo, the very last time he spoke at a government podium.
Many cannot help but think his words on that day held a deeper meaning.
Here’s something else he said on that day: “Rarely do I get a chance nowadays to say something from a podium like this.”
He attributed this to his “position”.
Only he knows what he meant by this.
Abdul Raheem Abdulla stands next to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu at the 'Dhiveenge Raajje' rally. (Sun Photo/Moosa Nadheem)
But it is clear for all to see that there has been a shift within the PNC.
Is Falah the new Abdul Raheem?
Not many would have believed if someone had said two years back that Abdul Raheem wouldn’t get the chance to speak when the PNC administration celebrated its two-year anniversary. But this is exactly what happened. It is Falah who appears to be fulfilling the prominent role that Abdul Raheem once filled. It was Falah who got the opportunity to whip supporters to a frenzy during the “record-making” mass rally held in the capital on November 14 to celebrate the occasion. Abdul Raheem was there, at least physically. But it was like he wasn’t. Everyone wondered the same thing: where is he? And what happened to him?
Abdul Raheem was right there at the rally. But not in his usual role. No matter how close their physical proximity, the strong bond they shared has shattered.
Abdul Raheem, once a force of nature within the PNC and the larger Maldivian political landscape, has gone completely silent.
“Abdul Raheem has been deliberately sidelined since the beginning of this year,” said a source from within the PNC leadership, who spoke to Sun on condition of anonymity.
“What’s happening now is, Abdul Raheem has been silently causing some trouble from within. He apparently hasn’t been getting anything done from within the Parliament. So, it is Falah who has been doing everything pertaining to the Parliament. The President isn’t getting any cooperation from Abdul Raheem.”
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu (L) is accompanied by Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla (R) as he arrives at the Parliament for his annual address on February 6, 2025. (Photo/President's Office)
No one expected Abdul Raheem to continue serving as the Speaker of Parliament after the great political blow he suffered. No one believes that Abdul Raheem, a politician known for his assertive nature, will just silently stand by as he is sidelined. But it is wisdom that is guiding him to remain silent. And it is this same wisdom that is guiding him to maintain his position as the head of the legislative assembly.
Though Abdul Raheem still sits in the seat of the Parliament Speaker, it is Falah who is now fulfilling his political role.
“Many of the work that needs to be carried out through the Parliament is now done directly by Falah. It is Falah who is filling the role that Adhurey [Abdul Raheem] used to fill. Whether it entails defending the administration, getting something done through the Parliament, criticizing a political opponent, or any other matter pertaining to the party… It is Falah who’s getting everything done,” said a lawmaker from the PNC, who spoke to Sun on condition of anonymity.
It was Falah who addressed the crowd during the November 14 party celebration, and it was Falah who got the chance to speak again during the official government function on November 18. Abdul Raheem has become a mere figurehead. He may sit in the seat of the Speaker of Parliament, but he lacks any real power. He has lost his role within the administration. That role is now filled by Falah.
It is also Falah leading the PNC. Abdul Raheem may be the party’s chairperson, but it is Falah who holds the reins.
Could he lose the seat of Parliament Speaker?
It was on January 28 that people began to question whether Abdul Raheem can hold on to his seat as Parliament Speaker. Multiple sources from within the PNC had said since then that his days as Speaker are numbered. That there are plans in motion to take the seat from him.
But Abdul Raheem remains the Speaker. He continues to preside over the Parliament.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu delivers his annual address (L) as Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla (R) looks on at the Parliament on February 6, 2025. (Photo/People's Majlis)
“I don’t think Abdul Raheem is going to be just removed without warning for as long as he does not get publicly exposed for a wrongdoing. This is because the administration is already getting anything they want done through the Parliament. Therefore, there’s no reason to get that done considering the political damage it will cause,” opinioned a political commentator.
The seat of the Parliament Speaker is not important right now. What’s important is political clout. Influence. This is where the real power lies. Today, Abdul Raheem has lost the influential political role he once played. He has lost his power. Falah has been “appointed” to his old role.
“The President does not trust Adhurey. This is why he is keeping such a tight control over everything,” said a senior figure from within the PNC.
The decision to pick Falah for the powerful role left vacant with Abdul Raheem’s political “death” sends a message. Who but Falah is the best fit to fill that vacuum? They share similar styles when it comes to politics.
Things move fast in politics. Abdul Raheem’s sun, which once shined so bright, has now set, giving way to a new one. And to quote Abdul Raheem himself regarding how things change in politics, “that’s just the way of the world.”