Former Higher Education Minister Abdulla Yamin who resigned from government early 2007 has denied stories spreading in town that he has being offered the powerful cabinet portfolio of Trade Minister.
Yamin who is the Leader of People’s Alliance said that stories on him joining President Gayoom’s cabinet are mere rumors and not true at all. Yamin said that People’s Alliance (PA) supports Dhivehi Rahyithunge Party (DRP) backed proposals submitted to the Majlis aimed at facilitating the presidential elections under the new constitution and that PA is doing so with the aim of completing the phase as early as possible with out going in to lengthy debates.
“We are supporting DRP in all important issues, it is mainly because we want hold elections under the ratified constitution as per the deadline given in the constitution, and this can be achieved if we avoid lengthy debates in the Majlis” Yamin said.
It is believed that speculation on Yamin being offered the position of Trade Minister are going around because a minister has not been appointed since the resignation of former Trade Ministry Mohamed Jaleel. President Gayoom responding to a question posed by a member of the press on the subject of ongoing public speculation that Yamin is going to join the cabinet, at a recent media briefing held at President Office dismissed it saying ‘he does not much attention to such speculations’.
Yamin who resigned from the government in April 2007 has said that his resignation from the government was mainly because he was unable to bring certain reform and changes he had wanted. Although he said that some of these changes have taken place.
According to many Yamin’s resignation was the beginning of a series of resignations from President Gayoom’s cabinet. In this regard since Yamin’s resignation 12 ministers have resigned from the cabinet. The latest is the resignation of Environment Energy and Water Minister Ahmed Abdulla.
Immediately after his resignation Yamin formed a political association known as People’s Association which has led to the newly formed People’s Alliance (PA). Yamin is the current leader of PA. He has said if it is party’s decision to compete in the forthcoming presidential elections then he will do so. However he also said that presently the party was seeking funds necessary for such a campaign.
Yamin joined President Gayoom’s cabinet in 1993 as Minister of Trade and Industries and he remained in that position till 2005. Yamin is also the MP for Noonu atoll.
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