MPs spend MVR 3 million over three years to use airport VIP lounge

Maldives' Parliament members have spent MVR 3.6 million in the past three years to use the VIP lounge of Velana International Airport (VIA).

When a Maldivian citizen requested for the information regarding how much the state had spent on MP's, their family, and their friends on using the VIP lounge of the airport, under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the Parliament had stated that a total of USD 238,920 (MVR 3,677,409) had been spent between 2018 and 2020.

The Parliament had provided the expenditure categorised per year; as such the state had spent USD 121,080 (MVR 1,870,686) on the VIP expenses for the aforementioned personnel in 2018, USD 89,100 (MVR 1,376,595) in 2019, and USD 28,740 (MVR 444,033) in 2020.

The expenditure of 2018 covered the costs of the MP's of the 18th Parliament, while 2019 covered costs of both the 18th and the 19th Parliament, while 2020 covered that of the 19th Parliament only.

This information was requested by Aimon Latheef, who had previously requested for various state expenditures from state institutions under the RTI Act. Answering the questions he asked, the Parliament said they do not cover the expenses of past MPs, but rather members that hold seats currently.

He published this information on social media.

This information was disclosed when the public have been critical over Parliament's General Purpose Committee for stating the state would cover the VIP lounge use cost for friends in addition to MP's. However, as the Speaker was against implementing this decision, it was later agreed that the decision would be amended before it is finalised.

The Parliament have also stated they would work out which members had used the VIP lounge the most from the 18th and 19th Parliament.

A meeting was held on the issue following a letter from the Speaker. In the letter sent to the Parliament, Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla said that it is difficult to estimate the expenditure if the code allocated in the budget is overwhelmed.

It will affect members' official visits, training and committee visits, the letter said. The letter noted that VIP services are being provided to those travelling with a rate of USD 60 per person if requested by a member.