The President’s Office has stated the Minister of Home Affairs will continue oversight of the Maldives Police Service (MPS).
In a press statement released to clarify reports of MPS being removed from the authority of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the President’s Office stated MPS had been removed from the authority of the home ministry on March 27, in accordance to the new Police Service Act which came into effect this year. However, the President’s Office said the Minister of Home Affairs is still the cabinet minister responsible for oversight of the institution, as declared by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on March 27. Therefore, the President’s Office said the home ministry will be undertaking the tasks necessary to fulfill the minister’s responsibility towards overseeing MPS, as per the declaration of the president.
The President’s Office further stated MPS, which is now officially named as Dhivehi Fuluhunge Khidhumaiy (but still addressed as Maldives Police Service in English), will continue using the number 171 in official government letters.