Decision revised to disclose Speaker’s residence payroll details

Parliament’s Committee on National Security Services (241 Committee), on Monday, has decided to disclose the number of staff at Muraidhooge, the official residence of the Speaker, as well as their salaries.

A petition with multiple signatories was submitted to the Parliament on Monday seeking the details of the number of staff at Muraidhooge and their salaries as announced by the Committee’s Chairperson, Eydhafushi MP Ahmed Saleem during a 241 Committee meeting held this morning.

However, the meeting was held closed doors by the consensus of the members, during which they decided against disclosing the requested information citing potential threat to the safety of the Speaker.

An additional meeting of the Committee was scheduled for 16:00pm after the decision was made. Some media outlets reported that the meeting was slated at the instruction of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu who asked to revise the decision.

Speaking at the meeting, Chairperson Saleem said the additional meeting was scheduled after taking note of points that need to be revised with respect to the Committee’s decision.

Subsequently, ruling PNC’s parliamentary group leader, Inguriadhoo MP Ibrahim Falah proposed to disclose the information pertaining to Muraidhooge as requested by the petitioners. The proposal was backed by Kelaa MP Abdulla Shareef.

North Maafannu MP Mohamed Nazim said the number of staff at Muraidhooge, their classification and salaries should be disclosed, adding there is no threat to national security with the disclosure of the information.

Central Henveiru MP Ahmed Azan Mazrooq backed Nazim’s proposition, citing the identities of individuals employed at various offices have been disclosed previously. He underscored that disclosing the names, designation and salaries does not amount to a personal attack while stressing the non-disclosure amounted to a joke.