President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has rejected claims that the government’s decision to provide financial assistance and waive overdue fines for owners of Sinamale' and Male' Hiya flats amounts to bribery.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, the president said the move was a campaign pledge and part of his official manifesto.
“It’s not a bribe at all. This shows your lack of information,” he told reporters.
“It is in my manifesto. It was mentioned during the presidential campaign.”
On January 5, President Muizzu announced the waiver of fines imposed on residents of Sinamale' and Male' Hiya flats who had been unable to pay penalties for various reasons. He instructed Male' City Council on January 7 to implement the decision.
The President said the Cabinet had previously discussed providing financial assistance to flat owners to help repair deteriorating buildings, but the plan had initially stalled due to a lack of support from the city council.
He described the condition of several housing blocks including Sinamale' 1, 2 and 3, Male' Hiya 1 and 2, and Sinamale' 4 in Vilimale' as poor, citing structural damage and lack of maintenance.
“The sheets are cracked and things are falling on people’s heads. Water is leaking. Toilets are damaged. But people are living there,” he said.
President Muizzu added that while some residents had completed payments and secured ownership of their flats, they continued to live in substandard conditions.
The Cabinet therefore decided in January to provide cash assistance to support repairs, he said, as part of the broader social housing policy aimed at improving living standards nationwide.
On the issue of penalty waivers, the president said he had pledged during the campaign to forgive fines under the social housing scheme across the country.
