Hamdhy Ageel, the former president of the Privatization and Corporatization Board (PCB), has been appointed as the secretary-general of the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (MMBC) - a new commission created under a contentious new law that led to the dissolution of Maldives Broadcasting Commission (BroadCom) and Maldives Media Council (MMC).
The MMBC confirms Hamdhy was appointed to the commission on Sunday by the Civil Service Commission.
The new job will earn him MVR 35,500 monthly, including basic pay and living allowance.
Hamdhy had been appointed as a member and president of the PCB by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on November 22, 2023 – less than a week after he assumed office.
But he was dismissed less than two years later on February 13.
While the President’s Office declined to disclose a reason for the decision, it came a day after the PCB issued a circular instructing state-owned enterprises to reduce expenses and refrain from providing employees with any gifts or incentives for Ramadan beyond the legally mandated special allowance.
We are delighted to announce that Hamdhy Ageel has officially joined MMBC as the Secretary General! We are assured that his leadership, skills, and dedication will bring positive impact to MMBC pic.twitter.com/rcI7yZciRR
— Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (@MmbcMv) November 16, 2025
Hamdhy graduated with a Master of Commerce from Australia's Curtin University.
He previously held the position of Managing Director of Maldives Road Corporation and also served as the Managing Director of Fuel Supply Maldives.
The seven-member MMBC is composed of three members appointed by the Parliament and four elected by registered medias – two of whom represent broadcasters and two who represent online medias. The legislative assembly is also empowered to appoint the commission’s chairperson.
And all members, including those elected by medias, can be dismissed by the Parliament, in which the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) enjoys a supermajority.
The seven-member MMBC is composed of:
Mohamed Farusath, president
Zamath Ahmed Waheed, vice president
Safa Shafeeq
Aminath Sarahath Izzath
Hussain Sageef
Simaha Naseem
Abdul Azeez Ibrahim
While journalists continue to protest against the new law as a direct threat to press freedom and a crackdown on dissent, President Muizzu’s administration touts it as important legislature that protects people from defamation, disinformation and misinformation, and paves the path for accountability in the media field.