Parliament rejects motion demanding disclosure of number of political appointees, pay details

An emergency motion submitted by a lawmaker from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), demanding full disclosure of the number of political appointees and the spending on salaries by state-owned enterprises has been rejected by the Parliament – which the main ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) holds a supermajority in.

Ibrahim Ameer, who served as the MDP administration’s finance minister from 2018-2023, recently alleged the incumbent administration has made over 2,000 political appointments, spending MVR 700 million on monthly salaries.

The emergency motion demanding the full disclosure of number of political appointees and salaries was presented by South Galolhu MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem on Wednesday.

However, the motion was rejected with a majority vote of 56-11.

In his motion, Meekail accused President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of using the powers vested in him under Article 115 of the Constitution to make “unchecked and excessive” political appointments to government institutions, and of appointments to state-owned enterprises being made in a similar “unchecked and excessive” manner.

“…Information suggests that this has resulted in an increase in the companies’ spending, hindering its operations,” he said.

Meekail said that Finance Minister Dr. Mohamed Shafeeq had declined to disclose the number of political appointees to the Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, which he said infringed on the constitutional duty of the Parliament to watch over and hold the government accountable.

During the debate on a state debt bill submitted by the government, which took place after the vote, Meekail expressed concern over the decision to reject his motion. He said that the bill is linked with the government’s payroll.

“The Maldivian people don’t even know the number of political appointees who are being paid salaries with taxpayer money. I have been informed that an additional deputy minister was appointed just yesterday. I welcome important fiscal consolidation measures planned by the government. But this [the appointment of political appointees] is being carried out in secrecy,” he said.

Meekail said that the state debt bill submitted by the government was crucial legislature, but questioned whether it will serve its purpose.

He said that a cap on the increase in political appointments is crucial to fulfilling the purpose.

The large number of political appointments by President Muizzu, who during his 2023 presidential campaign promised to limit such appointments to 700, has sparked criticism against his administration. As has the refusal to disclose the exact number of political appointments.

Efforts by the Parliament, as well as local medias to get the information under the Right to Information (RIT) Act, have failed.

Major financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank have repeatedly warned the Maldives of the risks of rising public debt, stressing the urgent need for a comprehensive fiscal adjustment program.

On Thursday, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced the roll out of measures to cut the state’s recurrent expenditure, including reducing the number of political appointees, and reducing the spending on or cancelling official events.

One upcoming event the president has decided to cancel is the Independence Day reception and parade.

Also last week, Erdem Atas, the World Bank Country Economist and Resident Coordinator for Maldives, said that the economic vulnerabilities that the Maldives now faces is a combination of debt stock accumulation in the last 10 years, as well as continuously high fiscal and current account deficits over the same period.

He said that economic growth or additional financing cannot resolve the issue, and that expenditure cuts are necessary to reduce fiscal and current account deficits, which will primarily support central bank’s reserves, and help improve the debt situation in the medium-term.

He also expressed appreciation for the government’s efforts on fiscal reforms.