Fayyaz: Details of political posts and salaries withheld in contrary to pledge

Main opposition MDP’s chairperson Fayyaz Ismail states the current administration is withholding the details of the number of political appointees in contrary to the pledge made in this regard during the presidential election.

Fayyaz, via a post on X, said the ruling PNC’s dominated parliament kicked out the emergency motion submitted by North Galolhu MP Meekail Naseem demanding full disclosure of the number of political appointees, as the administration continues to withhold the information, in violation of the pledge made during the presidential election.

MP Meekail’s emergency motion demanded the full disclosure of the number of political appointees in addition to the spending on salaries by state-owned enterprises.

He 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.

The current parliamentary assembly, where PNC holds the supermajority, rejected the motion by a 56-11 vote.

Fayyaz, who served as the Economic Minister during MDP’s administration, added that Maldives’ economy had taken to its current direction due to mismanagement by the current administration and as they have lied and misled the public.

Speaking at a press conference by MDP regarding Maldives’ declining economic state – Ibrahim Ameer, who served as the Finance Minister during the party’s administration, alleged the incumbent administration has made over 2,000 political appointments, spending MVR 700 million on monthly salaries.

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.

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