Several MPs agree on reducing salaries

At a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts on Wednesday night, several MPs have spoken in favour of reducing the salaries of MPs, judges, and members of independent institutions.

Bilehdhoo MP Ahmed Hamza referred to new President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s decision to withdraw only half of his salary and said that MPs should follow this example set by the president, and suggested changing the salaries of MPs, judges, and members of independent institutions.

Following Hamza’s remarks, Eydhafushi MP Ahmed Saleem said that the salaries of MPs should be reduced first. He said that judges’ salaries, even if reduced, should be adequate.

Nolhivaram MP Mohamed Nasheed suggested reducing MPs’ salaries to MVR 20,000, but this suggestion was not supported by any member.

The only MP at last night’s meeting who opposed the idea of reducing salaries was Kulhudhuffushi-North MP Abdul Gafoor Moosa. He said that there is no point in reducing salaries with just four months left of the present parliamentary term, and that the salaries of other institutions also should not be reduced without conducting a thorough investigation. He said that incomes should be increased.

MPs agreed at last night’s meeting that salaries should be reviewed as soon as possible.

Towards the end of the meeting, an argument took place between Chairperson of Public Accounts Committee Abdulla Jabir and Vilufushi MP Riyaz Rasheed. Riyaz accused Jabir of holding meetings of the committee every day to avoid attending court.