In an exclusive interview with 'Sun' News last Saturday amid his visit to N. Kudafari - Siyam's birth island - the business tycoon, the owner of Sun Siyam resorts said the parliament was a crucial avenue doing important work for the public's benefit.

Siyam further said the parliament should play a vital role in enhancing a safe economic environment in the Maldives.

"I am hopeful that we will be doing a lot of important work for the public's betterment, much like before," he commented.

Relating to the landslide victory of PNC in the Parliamentary Election, he praised the people; that they are intelligent and are decisive about the steps taken to improve their livelihood.

"All of us are trying to better our lives, that is the vision of us politicians as well, to ensure the public get what the public want," Siyam added.

He further said the votes secured by MDA in the recently held parliamentary election indicated public's trust and confidence in the party.

The 2 seats secured by his party, MDA are N. Velidhoo seat that of Meedhoo won by himself.

The recently elected lawmakers will take oath on May 28th 2024.

Ruling PNC has emerged as the majority party with 73 seats, which includes the original 66 seats and the seven independent members who joined few days after the election results.

The 20th assembly of the parliament consists of 93 members.

President Yameen and Ahmed Siyam were close political allies till the fall of PPM's Administration and conviction of President Yameen (which was declared void last month).

Funadhoo had been scheduled to hold a by-election on June 8, to elect a female member to the islands’ council.

But on Sunday, the Elections Commission (EC) announced that PNC’s Aminath Yumna, a native of Funadhoo, had won the vacant seat by default, as no other candidates contested. The latest win comes after PNC won four out if six seats in the by-elections held on May 4, to elect members to vacancies in local councils.

The polling took place in six islands; HA. Thakandhoo, HA. Utheemu, N. Landhoo, N. Velidhoo, R. Innamaadhoo, and M. Maduvvari. Voters in Thakandhoo and Innamaadhoo voted to elect a female member to the islands’ council, while voters in Maduvvari voted to elect a president to the island’s council.

The other three islands – Utheemu, Landhoo and Velidhoo – voted to elect general members to the council.

PNC also won four of the seats; in Utheemu, Thakandhoo, Velidhoo and Innamaadhoo. Meanwhile, the main opposition MDP, secured the seat in Landhoo, while The Democrats secured the one in Maduvvari.

The latest by-elections came after the EC repeatedly expressed concern over the high resignation rate among members of local councils and women’s development committees.

In an earlier interview, EC’s chairman Fuad Thaufeeq said that three to four members resign from women’s development committees each month. He voiced concern over the huge cost of holding frequent by-elections to replace the members.

In 2022, a bill was submitted to change the law to allow for by-elections for vacancies to be held once a year. However, the legislature remains stymied in the Parliament.

On Tuesday, the 7th May, Zareer received approval of the Parliament’s Economic Affairs Committee with 10 votes. Yazeed had only received four votes.

Following the resignation of Fathuhullah Jameel in February, president Dr. Mohamed Muizzu had nominated Zareer and Yazeed Mohamed to the post.

Yazeed Mohamed, who previously held the role of Commissioner General of Taxation during the administration of former President Abdullah Yameen Abdul Gayoom, is once again in the spotlight. His wealth of experience and familiarity with tax matters positions him as a strong candidate for the crucial role.

Hassan Zareer, who served as Deputy Commissioner General of Taxation during the same period, joins Yazeed on the list of nominees. His expertise and understanding of the intricacies of tax administration make him a worthy contender.

The vacancy for the Commissioner General of Taxation arose following the resignation of the former commissioner, Fathuhulla Jameel, who contested in the recent parliamentary election as a parliamentary nominee of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

The parliamentary economic relations committee had passed over Yazeed who was the president's preferred nomination to sign off on Zareer to the tax commissioner's post.

During Monday's sitting, 45 MPs voted in favour of Zareer which included ruling PPM/PNC lawmakers.

Heena Waleed would continue to serve as the CEO of the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) while undertaking the Chief Spokesperson's position's responsibilities at the President's Office and would not be offered additional remuneration.

She previously served as a political director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and worked in the media industry for more than a fewer years. Heena Waleed also previously held a few high-ranking positions in the state media, including Head of News at Public Service Media (PSM).

She attained higher studies in mass communication, journalism, and advertisement.

Sources say that there are over two thousand qualified professionals with higher education and experience in political and media industry in the country!