President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has reassigned the Communications Authority of Maldives (CAM) to operate under the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology, according to a statement from the President’s Office today.
Previously, CAM had been set to function under the newly established Ministry of Local Government. However, the President’s Office confirmed that the authority will now fall under the oversight of the Homeland Security and Technology Ministry.
With this transfer, the ministry will now oversee a total of eight agencies, which include:
- Maldives Immigration
- Department of National Registration (DNR)
- National Centre for Information Technology
- National Drug Agency (NDA)
- Department of Juvenile Justice
- National Cyber Security
- Labour Relations Authority
- Communications Authority of Maldives
The reassignment was executed under the authority granted to the president by Article 116(a) of the Maldivian Constitution, which allows the head of state to assign government functions and ministries.
CAM, established in 2016, was previously overseen by the Ministry of Environment and Technology during the administration of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Its mandate is to regulate and develop the communications sector in line with national policies, with a focus on promoting competition and advancing communications services, including telecommunications, postal services, and information technology.
Some of CAM's key responsibilities include setting standards for telecommunications services, inspecting and licensing telecommunications equipment, overseeing satellite communication in line with international standards, and regulating radio communication equipment and spectrum usage. CAM also plays a crucial role in the registration of postal service providers and representing the Maldives in international postal forums.
The reassignment of CAM to the Homeland Security and Technology Ministry underscores the current administration's focus on integrating communications, cybersecurity, and national security under a unified framework.
