President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said that the powers taken away from Minister of Home Affairs by the previous administration, will be reinstated this week.

The President said this while speaking at a Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) campaign event at Shaviyani Komandoo.

President Solih reiterated in his speech that the former administration of President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom had restricted the powers of the Minister of Home Affairs. He announced that he had signed the papers that reinstated the powers of the Minister of Home Affairs this past Thursday. President Solih noted that while the powers assigned to the Minister through the laws of Maldives Police Service had been taken away, he has now ensured that these powers will be reinstated.

He reiterated that he has assumed the Presidency with a lot of people’s hard work to bring about major reform. He added that the work being carried out today is to ensure that all the changes that the people of Maldives had wanted, is implemented.

The President noted that he is also working on bringing forward the legislation to implement the progress that is desired by the people.

While President Solih has said this, the former Minister of Home Affairs, Umar Naseer had repeatedly said that he had been kept in the position of Minister after the removal of powers.

Umar Naseer had also reiterated at the time that, with the restrictions came various obstructions in place, that prevented him from carrying out his duties.