The government has come under huge backlash after the reinstatement of Customs Deputy Commissioner Mahmood Riyaz, who was dismissed in a rush last month over two cases involving illicit tobacco trade, citing his reputation has been ruined.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, dismissed two deputy commissioners, Riyaz and Abdulla Waheed, both of whom have worked at Customs for over 32 years, were dismissed from their posts on October 29th at the recommendation of Parliament’s National Security Services Committee (241 Committee) following their inquiries into two cases involving the illicit tobacco trade.
The Committee later reviewed the decision and on Thursday, recommended the President to reinstate Riyaz, citing new evidence received does not indicate his involvement in these cases. Subsequently, President Muizzu reinstated Riyaz.
The rushed dismissal of Riyaz had triggered huge backlash from fellow customs officers who described Riyaz as an honest individual who is a role model of integrity.
Riyaz himself denied involvement in these cases, citing he has never taken part in any wrongdoing, nor will he in the future.
The public criticism followed even after Riyaz’s reinstatement.  
In this regard, former deputy managing director at Maldivian Aishath Jennifer, shared 241 Committee’s press statement regarding their decision to recommend reinstating Riyaz via a post on X, citing decisions that affect people’s careers and dignity should never be made in haste.
Woke up & saw this .It was heartening to see so many people stand up for the dismissed Customs officer, Mahmood Riyaz.Am glad that after much effort, his job has been reinstated. Decisions that affect people’s careers and dignity should never be made in haste.???????? pic.twitter.com/E7DAXkx4Bg
— Aishath Jennifer (@JenniferAishath) November 9, 2025
Meanwhile, some members of the general public commented that Riyaz can sue the government for defamation.
An X account under the name, ‘boomershamail’, said: “It is clear from how things had unfolded that compensation for the damaged reputation is a surety.”
Mashakiii mahmood riyaz nama thi vazeefaaa ah emburi nunikunnaaanameve , gellunu aburu hoadhan dhauvaaa ves kuraanameve , gellunu aburu ge badhal yageeenun ves libeyne kan higaafavaa gothun saafeve https://t.co/9qzBlJoceF
— boomer (@boomershamail) November 9, 2025
Former president of the now dissolved Maldives Media Council (MMC) Mohamed Shafaau Hassan, citing impacts on the innocent by the government’s hasty decisions without verifying information, equated Riyaz’s dismissal to something that the whole nation should apologize for.
Another individual, Ahmed Adhuham, wrote on X: “The first thing [President] Muizzu needs to do for defaming a person who has sincerely served the nation at a national-level, is issuing a public apology to Riyaz.”
The two illicit tobacco trade cases under investigation include an illegal shipment of 200 master cartons of Manchester cigarettes – a cheaper brand that has become more popular following the doubling of import duty on tobacco - was found on The Hawks’ oil tanker Javaahiru during a raid by Maldives Customs on the company’s boatyard in K. Thilafushi on October 25, 2024.
The Hawks company has denied corporate involvement in the smuggling, attributing the incident to rogue employees and stating that the implicated staff have been suspended.
Meanwhile, Manchester brand cigarettes continue to circulate in the local market at below-market prices, raising concerns about ongoing illicit distribution.