[1] Ilyas Hussain, along with two friends Abdulla Saeed (Kottey) and Mohamed Nasheed (Anni), began registering a political party in 2001.

Forty-two people signed and forwarded a proposal to the government to form the Maldives Democratic Party or MDP.

[citation needed] From 2004 to 2008 Ilyas Hussain was a member of the Special Majlis (Parliament) as representative for Alif Dhaal Atoll.

Ilyas Hussain Ibrahim was appointed Controller of Immigration & Emigration (Deputy Minister Level) on 13 November 2008, succeeding K. D. Ahmed Maniku.

Ilyas noted problems that included loss of visa revenue, drain of money abroad, crime and religious extremism.

[3] On 21 February 2011 President Mohamed Nasheed appointed Ilyas Hussain Ibrahim as Minister of State for Housing and Environment.

[5] Ilyas was appointed Minister of State, Controller of Immigration & Emigration on 8 February 2012, replacing Abdulla Shahid.

[2] On 24 May 2012 President Mohammed Waheed Hassan appointed Ilyas Hussain Ibrahim as Minister of State for Defence and National Security.

[7] On 27 February 2013 it was reported that Ilyas and Sami Ageel, a former director of the Finance ministry, had been charged with corruption related to the BCS project award.