Haleem Accuses MDP of Distributing Funds to Sway Deputy Speaker Election

Bilehdhoo MP Ahmed Haleem alleges that the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) selectively distributed funds to influence the Deputy Speaker of Parliament election, citing the exclusion of the Fushi Dhiggaru project from this year’s budget as evidence.

Haleem made these claims during the election of the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, Ahmed Saleem, raising concerns about the transparency and fairness of the budgetary process.

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The Budget Review Committee, in addressing the housing crisis in Male’ city, removed the Fushi Dhiggaru project from next year’s budget. Committee members argued that priority should be given to the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) in the provinces, alongside housing projects in Gulhifalhu and Giraavaru falhu.

During the budget debate in the House, Haleem asserted that the MDP had prioritized personal interests in the budget, leading to numerous objections. He specifically accused the party of excluding the dredging project not for the broader development of the country but to influence internal MDP elections.

Haleem claimed that MVR 7 million was allocated to each constituency after deducting the Fushi Dhiggaru project. However, he pointed out discrepancies, noting that the Mathivari constituency received MVR 18 million with 23 new projects. Additionally, MVR 40 million was reportedly allocated for the construction of an airport in Nilandhoo, a location just five minutes away.

Expressing his reservations, Haleem stated that he would only support the budget if the MDP issued a three-line whip, emphasising that his vote did not signify acceptance of the budget itself. The allegations raise concerns about the potential politicization of budgetary decisions in the Maldivian parliamentary process.