Report: Soodh
Chief Government Spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef, Mundhu, has said that it is quite all right to have a foreign spokesperson to brief the foreign media at the Government Information Press Services, GIPS that is being set up under the Information Ministry. GIPS when established will take over the function of Strategic Communications Unit of the President unit.
Speaking to Velidhoo News, Mundhu said that government on a number of occasions has appointed foreign nationals to government posts. Mundhu also said that to appoint a capable, experienced foreign spokesperson to deal with foreign press would be better.
“We have a number of Maldivians who can take on the job, its not that there no capable people to fill the post, however it would be better to have an experienced expert to deal with foreign; an expert will various tactics to deal with press of different countries; some may not be satisfied to have a foreigner working as a government spokesperson but the fact there are many foreigners working as government officials” explained Mundhu.
Mundhu also noted that by hiring a foreign spokesperson the government expense will also be cut down.
He also said the decision of the Information Minister to appoint a foreign spokesperson at GIPS was reached after due consideration.
Chief Spokesperson of MDP Maria Ahmed Didi, said that MDP does not welcome the idea especially when there are many Maldivians capable of taking the job. She also expressed her dissatisfaction that government has appointed foreign nationals to represent Maldives in various missions.
“When you employ a foreigner to that post it is a lost opportunity to a local, MDP’s policy is provide a bright future to every Maldivian” said Maria.
She also questioned why the government is assigning the post to a foreigner as the position was held by a local since it was introduced.
Maria also expressed her doubts as to whether the government expense will be reduced on hiring of a foreign spokesperson.
IDP, Islamic Democratic Party, Spokesperson Yousuf Zuhury said the government is taking a wise decision.
“When the foreign Spokesperson talks about Maldives he will have no love for the country in his heart” said Zuhury IDP spokesperson.
Zuhury also said “At this rate we have foreigners as officers in the National Defense Force”.
Top lawyer Ahmed Muiz said “In the absence of a qualified Maldivianfor the post, a foreigner may be hired, but certainly expense will not come down”.
Male’ MP Ibrahim Isamil, Ibra, said this typical move of President Gayoom’s government and said “In my government things would be different”.
Information Ministry has said that the ministry is considering appointing two government spokespersons, one to deal with foreign media and the other to deal with local media.
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