President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has reaffirmed his Administration’s commitment to meritocracy in governance, announcing that future political and ministerial appointments will be guided by academic qualifications and necessity, as part of the Government’s broader reform agenda.

Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, the President said the public is increasingly calling for meaningful and positive reforms within Government, adding that his Administration is determined to deliver changes that serve the collective interest of the nation. He emphasised that the Government’s reform efforts will be grounded in fairness, capability and efficiency.

Central to this approach is a renewed focus on merit-based appointments. The President stated that ministerial ranks will reflect academic achievement, with State Minister positions to be filled by individuals holding Master’s degrees, and Deputy Minister roles by those with Bachelor’s degrees. He further stressed that all political appointments will be made strictly on merit, rather than on any other considerations.

In addition, the President underscored that appointments across Government will be made based on necessity, ensuring that roles are filled only where required in order to enhance efficiency and avoid redundancy.

The remarks follow the recent reconstitution of the Cabinet, which the President described as a strategic move aimed at improving synergy, coordination and overall productivity within Government. He noted that the reshuffle is intended to better align ministries with their respective mandates and to ensure that policy objectives are implemented effectively.

President Dr Muizzu added that the Administration will make every effort to ensure that all mandates are fulfilled accordingly, following the reconstitution of the Cabinet. He reiterated that the overarching goal of these reforms is to strengthen governance, improve public service delivery and build a system that reflects the aspirations of the Maldivian people.