Today marks the 80th anniversary of the constitution of a cabinet in the Maldives.
80 years ago on 22 December 1932, the Maldives for the first time saw establishment of a cabinet and cabinet ministries. The first cabinet portfolios included a total of twelve ministries including the offices of a prime minister, defence, justice, finance, home affairs, foreign affairs, education, trade, health, public works, public endowment and agriculture.
The first cabinet members were:
- Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Mohamed Fareed Didi
- Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Finance Hassan Fareed Didi
- Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Education Uz. Ahmed Kamil Didi
- Minister of Health and Minister of Public Works Ibrahim Ali Didi
- Minister of Agriculture Mohamed Didi
- Minister of Justice Sheikh Hussain Salahuddin
- Minister of Trade Mohamed Amin Didi
During the 80 years, Maldives’ Cabinets was led by Prime Minister Mohamed Fareed, Foreign Minister Hassan Fareed, Prime MInisrer Mohamed Ameen, Prime Minister Ibrahim Faamdheyri Kilegefaanu, Ibrahim Nasir as Prime Minster and President, Prime Minister Ahmed Zaki, President Maumoon Abdul Gayoon, President Mohamed Nasheed and President Dr Mohamed Waheed
Mohamed Amin Didi was the youngest ever cabinet Minister in Maldivian history. He was 22 when he first became a cabinet minister. President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom holds the record of being the longest-serving cabinet member. The first female cabinet minister was Ms Moomina Haleem who was appointed as Minister of Health on January 6, 1977.
