Kudoo submits 3 questions to FM Iruthisham including no. of employees in foreign service

Three questions have been submitted to the Parliament for Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam, seeking details on the number of employees appointed across various categories within the Foreign Service.

MDP’s North Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudoo) has sought information on the total number of staff appointed to carry out specific responsibilities under the Foreign Service Act, as well as details of the duties assigned to them. He has also requested clarification on the reasons for appointing individuals from outside the Ministry to positions previously held by long-serving career diplomats.

Additionally, the MP has submitted a question to Home Minister Ali Ihusan, seeking information on whether any exclusive arrangements have been made, directly or indirectly, with third parties to provide services related to resident visas or "Pearl Resident Visas."

According to the latest fiscal statistics from the Finance Ministry, the Foreign Ministry had utilized MVR 280.5 million of its MVR 349.1 million annual budget as of September 24 this year. This represents an increase of MVR 76.1 million compared to the MVR 204.4 million spent during the same period last year.

Data shared by the Foreign Ministry in February indicated that monthly expenditure on embassies stood at MVR 54 million at the end of last year, with MVR 2.35 million spent solely on the basic salaries of staff at embassies and high commissions.

Opposition figures have frequently alleged that the number of political appointees at Maldivian embassies has increased under President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration. The opposition has also raised allegations regarding the appointment of relatives of senior government officials to positions within various diplomatic missions.