High monthly expenditure and a lack of reasonable results has drawn criticism from opposition MDP members.
While speaking during today's parliament debate regarding the appointment of non-resident ambassadors, Vaikaradhoo MP and MDP member Hussain Ziyad said that MVR 54 million is spent monthly on overseas Maldivian embassies.
"My question regarding the results that come out of this is, where is the MVR 2 billion from overseas that was outlined in the 2025 budget. We only received MVR 50 million when the year ended," said Ziyad.
According to Ziyad, instead of lowering expenses by decreasing visits to citizens during the elections, it would be better to reduce embassy expenditure.
"...this would save MVR 54 million. This is a much better way to save expenses," said Ziyad.
South Hithadhoo MP and MDP Parliamentary Group Leader Ibrahim Nazil stated that before the current government took office, the expenses for overseas embassies was MVR 23 million.
However, with the doubling of that amount, Nazil questioned the benefit to the nation and its citizens when MVR 648 million is being spent on embassies.
Nazil said that the upcoming referendum vote regarding the combining of elections on 4th April and the Local Council Election will see the citizens put out an "embarrassing" result in the eyes of the government.
