MP Kudu asks parliamentary committee to summon BML officials over dollar shortages and service complaints

North Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu) has asked the Parliament’s State‑Owned Enterprises Committee to summon senior officials of the Bank of Maldives (BML) over public complaints, including difficulties in obtaining US dollars.

In a letter to Parliament Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla, Kudu said he has been receiving numerous complaints from the public regarding BML’s services.

Kudu noted that customers are struggling to obtain dollars from BML for various purposes. He said that although the law requiring tourism businesses to convert foreign‑exchange earnings has come into force, and that importers were promised a fixed percentage of dollars under the government’s policy, but many have still not received the foreign currency they need.

He added that payments on commonly used e‑commerce platforms and other online services have been disrupted due to BML’s dollar limits.

The letter further stated that BML is failing to process subscription payments for widely used websites and applications, affecting a large number of customers.

Despite these issues, Kudu alleged that BML is “misrepresenting the truth” by claiming that such problems do not exist and that the bank is providing dollars regularly.

The MP requested that the State‑Owned Enterprises Committee convene urgently to look into the matter and work toward a solution. He also asked that BML officials be summoned before the committee while the issue is under review.

BML has previously imposed limits on the use of dollars on its cards abroad, and has banned dollar withdrawals and POS transactions at foreign ATMs using cards taken overseas.

These measures have drawn widespread public criticism, with many expressing frustration over BML’s services and decisions.

On Monday, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said BML had indicated that the dollar situation is expected to ease by the end of this month.