Former Minister of Defence Mariya Ahmed Didi has heavily condemned the government last night, declaring that the country's economy cannot be lifted from its downturn due to increased unnecessary expenditures and wastefulness.
Former Minister of Defence Mariya Ahmed Didi has heavily condemned the government last night, declaring that the country's economy cannot be lifted from its downturn due to increased unnecessary expenditures and wastefulness.
Speaking at the 'Havaru Beru' panel discussion on Monday night, Mariya recalled that tax revenue from the tourism sector, otherwise known as TGST was changed from 8 percent to 10 percent amid the last year of the former Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) administration and therefore, its true benefits will be received by the current government.
Although the State observed a substantial revenue increase with the tax elevation, they remain incapable of managing it, she said.
She questioned why expenses are unmanageable when tourist arrivals are now higher than it was during MDP's administration.
Mariya noted that while some government entities are being merged, these efforts will also incur heavy expenditure. However, this government does this while proclaiming a state of financial crisis, she claimed.
"Even when there are neighboring countries next to us, that staple foods will be imported from Turkey. That Aasandha will be provided from Bangkok and Dubai. Why does it need to be expanded to Bangkok and Dubai? Should it not go to the US or Germany?" Mariya questioned.
"Additionally, we [this government], as if to prove something, are purchasing a drone bought by Kuwaiti people for USD 2 million at USD 5 million. After doing such things, they then claim we [MDP] are attempting a coup with Bank of Maldives (BML)."
Mariya alleged that no projects are proceeding anywhere in the country at present, and claimed that despite the difficult days brought by Covid-19, the MDP government had carried out all projects without interruption.
Although the State declared that all countries have issued a green light to help improve the economy, the results remains yet to be seen, she further stressed.
"[Because of lies told by the government] in just 10 months we have been, how should I say this, put in a state of peril," said Mariya.
Meanwhile, Former Managing Director of State Electric Company Limited (STELCO) Ahmed Shareef announced at the panel last night that the country's economy is not facing troubles.
As reasons, he listed the increase in tourist arrival, increase in dollar income, decrease in recurrent expenditure as claimed by the government and termination of all PSIP projects proceeded during the former MDP administration - of which the funds can still be recovered by this administration.
Revealing that a monthly expenditure of MVR 50 million was expended on oil purchases during MDP's tenure due to elevated oil prices, Shareef added that with prices now lowered, the monthly expenditure on oil is currently at MVR 30 million.
He further maintained that the nation's economy had not seen such a drastic downturn even during the Covid-19 pandemic, the most challenging period for the MDP government and amid the Russia-Ukraine war which caused economic tremors across the world.
"The truth is, not knowing how to manage this. Not knowing how to manage or people nearby pinning all the work on the President's head or setting a trap," said Shareef.
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