President Muizzu Mandates Merit-Based Hiring to End Political Appointments in Government

President Mohamed Muizzu has announced a sweeping overhaul of government recruitment, declaring that all future hiring will be based strictly on education and professional experience. The move aims to dismantle the long-standing practice of granting public sector positions based on political loyalty or campaign involvement. Speaking during his weekly press conference, the President framed the decision as a direct response to public demand for a smaller, more efficient government and a reduction in overall public expenditure. He emphasized that the culture of rewarding political affiliations with state jobs is no longer sustainable or acceptable to the Maldivian people. "Giving jobs to anyone in connection with an election campaign or political party affiliations must come to an end in this country," President Muizzu affirmed, stating his intention to align government operations with the public's expectations. This meritocratic shift extends across all state entities. In a significant move toward austerity, the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises has already instructed state-owned companies to reduce their workforce by 33 percent. The President assured that these cuts would be managed through careful employee evaluations to ensure that essential company operations remain undisrupted. Furthermore, all state-owned enterprises are now mandated to publicly announce vacancies before filling any positions to ensure transparency. The overhaul also targets high-level political appointments. President Muizzu has already streamlined the cabinet, reducing the number of ministers from 20 to 15. To ensure professional competency at the top levels of governance, he intends to implement stricter educational requirements for future appointees; State Ministers will be required to hold a master's degree, while Deputy Ministers must possess at least a bachelor's degree. By institutionalizing these standards, the administration seeks to transition the civil service from a system of political patronage to one of professional excellence, aiming for a leaner government that prioritizes competence over connection.