MPs' financial statements: gifts of MVR 1 million in some accounts

Parliament has published financial statements of serving MPs. As per this, some MPs have received 'gifts' of about MVR 1 million, while others appear to have less than MVR 500 in their accounts. 

As per Article 68 of the parliament regulations, MPs are required to submit financial statements within a year of taking oath of office. This made August 31 the deadline for submitting financial statements for currently serving MPs. 

Even as the deadline has passed, not all MPs have disclosed their financial statements. 

Reviewing those that have been disclosed, it appears that as of the day of submission, some MPs retained only a minimal amount of funds in their savings accounts. 

One MP's statement claims that he had MVR -200 in his account. Others have about MVR 500, while yet others have a few thousand. Many MPs report possessing a small amount of USD. 

The statements also indicate that many MPs have heavy loans and credit card debt. 

On the other hand, some members have received over MVR 1 million, which the statement lists as 'gifts'. 

Speaker of Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla's statement also lists a gift of MVR 958,982 from 'benefactors'. The statement says that these funds were gifted to him to cover costs of trips and credit cards. 

South Maafannu MP Abdulla Rifau (Bochey) is also seen to have received MVR 225,000 from unnamed benefactors, while in a similar vein, South Hulhumale' MP Ahmed Shamheed received USD 43,000 (equivalent to MVR 663,000) and MVR 880,000. 

Baarah MP Ibrahim Shujau also lists a rowhouse from Hulhumale' worth MVR 3.5 million, which he claims was a gift from an employer. 

Although many statements list gifts from 'benefactors', their identities have not been disclosed. 

Last year, parliament regulations were amended to stipulate that financial statements have to be submitted within three months of taking oath. This was proposed by parliament's Counsel General, and was supported by the majority of MPs, who said then that this would uphold integrity.