Heena Waleed
Heena Waleed | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2026 | |
| Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage | |
| Assumed office 14 April 2026 | |
| President | Mohamed Muizzu |
| Preceded by | Adam Naseer Ibrahim |
| Spokesperson of the President's Office | |
| In office 23 April 2024 – 14 April 2026 | |
| President | Mohamed Muizzu |
| Preceded by | Mohamed Shahyb |
| Succeeded by | Mohamed Hussain Shareef |
| Managing Director of the National Social Protection Agency | |
| In office 29 November 2023 – 14 April 2026 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | |
| Party | People's National Congress |
Other political affiliations | Progressive Party of Maldives |
Heena Waleed (Dhivehi: ހީނާ ވަލީދް) is a Maldivian politician who is currently serving as the Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage of the Maldives since 2026. She is also the spokesperson of the People's National Congress.
She previously served as the spokesperson for The President's Office[2] and managing director for the National Social Protection Agency as well.[3][4]
Career
Heena previously served as a Council member for the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) before she became a Spokesperson for PPM's partner, People's National Congress (PNC).[3] She was also a journalist and had filled positions such as deputy editor and news executive editor at Television Maldives (TVM), and has served several high ranking positions such as Head of News at P.S.M.[2][3] She also served as the Political Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 2023, she was appointed as the Managing Director of the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA).[5]
On 14 April 2026, Waleed was appointed by President Mohamed Muizzu as the Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage.[6]
Corruption allegations
In 2024, Heena Waleed faced corruption allegations as Managing Director of the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA). Protests demanded her resignation, citing mismanagement and difficulties in accessing social services under her leadership.[7]
A key allegation involved leasing office space for NSPA through Maldives Media House, linked to President Mohamed Muizzu. NSPA reportedly agreed to pay MVR 580,000 per month, totaling MVR 34.8 million over five years, raising concerns about transparency and misuse of funds.[8]
Reports revealed that the funds were used to establish MMTV, a TV channel allegedly created to promote President Muizzu. Maldives Media House, which leased the building, was linked to Muizzu through Abdulla Zahir, a family member managing his residence.[9] Two floors were rented to NSPA while the other floors housed the TV station. The contract was only terminated after public criticism following its exposure on social media by Hassan Kurusee.[10] The case is still under investigation, and no actions have been taken against those involved.
References
- ^ "ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާގެ އޮފީހުގެ ޗީފް ސްޕޯކްސްޕާސަންކަމުގެ މަޤާމަށް ހީނާ ވަލީދު ޢައްޔަންކުރައްވައިފި" [The President appoints Heena Waleed as Chief Spokesperson at the President's Office]. The President's Office (in Divehi). 23 April 2024. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
- ^ a b "The President appoints Heena Waleed as Chief Spokesperson at the President's Office". The President's Office. 23 April 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ^ a b c Ali, Humaam (29 April 2019). "Heena Waleed appointed PNC spokesperson". Raajje TV. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ^ "Managing directors appointed to 21 state companies". Atoll Times. 28 November 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ^ "Heena named NSPA's CEO". Avas. 30 November 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ^ "President restructures Cabinet to 15 members, with 12 newly appointed Ministers sworn in". The President's Office. 14 April 2026. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
- ^ Zalif, Zunana (26 December 2024). "Protesters demand resignation of NSPA CEO". Raajje_TV. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
- ^ "NSPA denies corruption in renting office building". Adhadhu. 30 November 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
- ^ Zalif, Zunana (26 December 2024). "Each day Heena remains in position strengthens allegations that NSPA theft was ordered by pres". Raajje TV. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
- ^ Kurusee, Hassan [@HKurusee] (28 November 2024). "‼️🚨Breaking News (with doc)" (Tweet). Retrieved 21 January 2025 – via X (formerly Twitter).