Former Finance Minister Ameer Disputes Claims on State Debt Clearance

Former Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer has countered President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s assertion that the current government had cleared MVR 13 billion in state debt inherited from the previous administration.

Speaking at the inauguration of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC)’s new hub, Muizzu stated that MVR 7 billion of the debt was cleared with state-owned enterprises, while an additional MVR 2 billion was paid towards external debts.

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https://x.com/iameeru/status/1805136620649328788

In a rebuttal, Ameer highlighted that the current government’s expenditure from the state budget in 2024 amounted to MVR 18 billion thus far. Of this sum, he noted that MVR 5 billion was allocated to salaries, wages, and pensions for public sector employees. 

Ameer questioned whether the remaining MVR 13 billion had solely been directed towards debt repayment, raising concerns about other expenditures such as the procurement of drones and the establishment of new government offices.

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Ameer further queried the financial implications of foreign trips undertaken by the president and cabinet ministers, questioning whether such trips incurred additional expenses. He also claimed that the government had spent an additional MVR 200 million on administrative and operational costs in 2024 alone, with an alleged increase of MVR 600 million for salaries and operational expenses due to a rise in political posts from 600 to over 2,000.

Ameer concluded by casting doubt on the accuracy of Muizzu’s statement regarding the debt settlement figures.