Falaah says public has easier access to dollars today than at any point in recent history, dismissing MDP’s planned panel on shortages

There has never been a time when the public had easier access to dollars than today, said ruling PNC parliamentary group leader Ibrahim Falaah on Saturday.

Speaking on MMTV, Falaah criticised the opposition MDP’s planned panel discussion on dollar shortages, saying such a programme would be a “mockery”.

Falaah said the public had protested over rising prices of goods and services during the government of MDP Chairperson and former President Mohamed Nasheed, adding that the administration collapsed because Nasheed “did not know how to govern”.

Referring to the government of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Falaah said the dollar appreciated in Maldives due to the administration’s decision to print USD 8 billion.

“In fact, there has never been a day in recent history when dollars are more easily available to the general public than today,” Falaah said.

He said Maldivians travelling abroad for medical treatment receive USD 1,000 at bank rate, while students studying overseas and those going for Hajj and Umrah also receive USD 1,000 at bank rate.

“People travelling abroad for various purposes using Visa, debit, credit and other cards can access a couple of thousand dollars at bank rates,” he said.

Falaah said the Sovereign Development Fund held USD 200 million when Solih’s government took office in 2018, but only USD 2 million remained when the current administration began.

He said the MDP government ran all major projects on debt, and that the 19th Parliament, which held an MDP majority, failed to pass the state budget and implement revenue‑generating initiatives.