Maldives National Party (MNP) has called on the parliament not to approve the decision of the Parliament's Public Accounts Committee to increase the salaries of politicians whose salaries have been fixed by the parliament.
The Public Accounts Committee, which had a majority of the former ruling party Maldives Democratic Party (MDP), approved a pay hike for the heads of the three state powers, the President, Vice-President, ministers and lawmakers yesterday. However, a salary hike in the midst of the country’s current state of the economy, has drawn a lot of criticism.
In a statement, the MNP condemned the Public Accounts Committee's decision to hike the salaries of politicians, including lawmakers and state officials.
MNP said this was at a time when the country's economy was in not doing well and the salary hike of top officials amidst these circumstances cannot be acceptable when there has been no change to the salaries of ordinary individuals.
The public accounts committee also includes MNP MP for Thimarafushi constituency Abdulla Riyaz. He was present when this matter was being discussed, but Riyaz said he did not participate in the meeting where the vote was called for.
The pay hike was approved by all the members that participated in the vote.
The current administration has said that President Muizzu did not request for the salary increase for the President or the Vice President, nor do they support this decision.
Dr. Muizzu has said they have decided to donate the difference in the salary hike to social organisations such as the children’s shelter Kudakudhinge Hiyaa, since the change was made without discussion.
The Democrats are against increasing the salaries of parliamentarians as well.
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