Yameen Questions Legitimacy of MVR 50,000 Monthly Payments to MPs, Calls for Transparency

Former President Abdulla Yameen stated last night that President Mohamed Muizzu would not have the courage to publicly disclose the source of the MVR 50,000 monthly payments allegedly being provided to Members of Parliament.

Speaking at a gathering organized by the People's National Front (PNF), Yameen asserted that President Muizzu would be unable to transparently justify the origin of these funds or demonstrate that the financing of government projects is being carried out in a sustainable and accountable manner. He added that if the President were able to offer clear explanations, he would acknowledge that the administration is upholding proper accountability.

“Do you believe Muizzu would dare to publicly explain how he provides MVR 50,000 to MPs, or clarify the matters raised by Maleeh regarding funds generated from rock boulders, the collection of more than two dollars per cubic meter of reclaimed land, and whether expenditures so far have been cost efficient?” Yameen questioned.

He continued, stating that if the President could transparently address these issues, it would demonstrate accountability. “But he cannot. We are saying that he is simply unable to disclose this information,” Yameen said.

Yameen also questioned whether the alleged payments to MPs were being sourced from the income of ‘Dhimyaath,’ expressing doubt that the guesthouse generates sufficient revenue to cover such amounts. “From where is Muizzu providing what is now said to be MVR 100,000 to each member? Is that not bribery? Where would he obtain such funds? Is the guesthouse at Dhimyaath truly that productive?” he asked.

Additionally, Yameen claimed that members of Parliament were being silenced despite being the only institution constitutionally empowered to hold the President accountable. He further remarked that if the law permitted Cabinet ministers to exercise similar oversight, they too might receive comparable payments, suggesting that ministers remain silent due to their high salaries.