Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) Leader and MP for Meedhoo Ahmed Siyam Mohamed has said that the proposed State Budget 2025 lacks details, and so makes little sense, calling for the budget to be rejected.
Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) Leader and MP for Meedhoo Ahmed Siyam Mohamed has said that the proposed State Budget 2025 lacks details, and so makes little sense, calling for the budget to be rejected.
Speaking in the budget debate in today's parliamentary sitting, Siyam said that it is highly concerning that the budget does not include specifics of development projects in islands.
He said that while a figure is allocated broadly for education, people need to know exactly for what purpose and where these funds will be used.
"Today, the citizens want to know what is being done. They also want to know what will happen tomorrow. We don't want to wake up and be surprised every morning," Siyam said.
"I cannot fathom how we can debate on this budget when it is so unclear. Nowhere in the world are budgets proposed in this manner."
Siyam described the proposed budget as being hostile towards businesses, democracy and transparency.
He went on to criticize the higher than before allocation for operation of embassies abroad, opining that it is a wasteful expense that reaps no results.
"What is the use of this? Tell me one service we get from Singapore. Show me anything we get from Thailand. So we need to reconsider and be ashamed of spending taxpayers money by establishing embassies in every country in the world."
Siyam called for the budget to be sent back for amendment, stating that it has to be drafted in a way that makes sense to the public.
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