President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has decided to donate the portion of the increased salary to a social fund, such as Kudakudhinge Hiya, the state-run children's shelter.
In a post on X, the President said the government had not requested an increase in the salaries of the President, Vice President, and Cabinet Ministers. He further said that he does not wish to increase the salary.
The decision of the Parliament's Public Accounts Committee, which has the majority of the former ruling party, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), to increase the salaries of the President, Vice-President, Ministers, as well as Members of Parliament, has drawn a lot of public criticism. There is concern about the raise in salaries at a time of economic slowdown.
The committee unanimously decided to increase the President's salary to MVR 120,000. Previously, the remuneration of the President stood at MVR 100,000. Although the Vice-President's salary was at MVR 75,000, the monthly salary will go up to MVR 93,000 with the new pay changes. The current salary of Ministers is MVR 66,000. However, their pay was increased to MVR 72,000. Spokesperson at the President's Office Mohamed Shaheeb said the decision to increase the salaries of the President, Vice-President, and Ministers was taken to create hatred towards the government.
"I believe such a sensitive decision made by a committee with majority of MDP members at this point, without even consulting the top government officials, is meant to create hatred in the hearts of the people against the government," Spokesperson Shaheeb said.
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