Pres affirms no state expense in private residency

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has claimed the expenses during his residency at his private house since assuming office were not incurred by the government.

Dr. Muizzu declared this in response to a question presented by a Shaviyani atoll Funadhoo local, Aminath Najma.

Najma raised the question during the "Raeesge Javaabu" (President's Response) program. In her question, Najma requested clarity for the rumors about the presidential couple spending state's funds on their personal and household expenses.

In response, Dr. Muizzu said the allegations were baseless rumors.

"I spent from my own pocket when I was living in my [own] residence. I did not use a penny from the state's coffers for any personal expenses of my home," Dr. Muizzu added, responding to allegations that the president had incurred MVR 25 million from the state's coffers.

Dr. Muizzu further explained that the security detail arranged for his private residence was paid for by his own funds.

Additionally, he added that expenses during his stay at Dhimyaath, his private residence, was incurred from personal funds primarily because he did not wish to face such accusations.

He further rejected rumors of MVR 30 million incurred on food expenditure within a 100-day period, stating it was absurd to acknowlege such rumors.

Dr. Muizzu also highlighted that tha annual food budget for Muliaage does not exceed MVR 700,000.

"I believe, given our transparency of conduct, and the public awareness on every conduct of ours could be the reason why they are making baseless accusations, because they don't have anything else to use against us," Dr. Muizzu said.

He said that the opposition's current strategy is using unregistered news outlets in attempts to launch such accusations against him and other state officials.