MDP MPs Call for Reversal of Speaker, Ministers’ Allowance Increases Amid Economic Concerns

Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) lawmakers have called for the reversal of proposed salary and allowance increases for the Speaker of Parliament and Cabinet ministers, condemning the decision by the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) majority as irresponsible amid growing economic pressures.

In a joint statement, the 12 sitting MDP MPs in the parliament, criticised the Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee for approving the increases, arguing that the decision was made without adequately considering the country’s financial situation and the rising cost of living.

advertisement

advertisement

The lawmakers said government expenditure had exceeded state revenue by more than MVR 4.5 billion, while households continued to face increasing expenses. They also accused the 20th Parliament of passing legislation that placed additional tax burdens on the public.

ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލީހުގެ ރައީސާއި ވަޒީރުންގެ މުސާރަ އިތުރުކުރަން ސަރުކާރުން ނިންމި ނިންމުމާ ދެކޮޅަށް ނެރޭ ނޫސް ބަޔާން. https://t.co/WtHUriSbHB— Ahmed Shamheed (@Ashamhyd) October 25, 2026

The statement raised concerns over changes to block grants allocated to island councils and deductions from the salaries of council presidents and staff, arguing that these measures had weakened councils’ ability to deliver essential services to island communities.

According to the MPs, local councils have repeatedly raised concerns about these financial constraints and their impact on service delivery.

The lawmakers also questioned the timing of the remuneration increases, citing ongoing public concerns over pay harmonisation and unresolved employment issues affecting healthcare and education workers.

They noted that parliamentary committee work remained ongoing on a resolution addressing overtime payments and fair working conditions for employees in the health and education sectors.

The MDP MPs further accused the government of using its parliamentary supermajority to obstruct the legislature’s responsibility to address public grievances.

They warned that the Public Accounts Committee’s decision could add more than MVR 40 million to government expenditure, further increasing pressure on the state budget, and urged the government to reverse the decision.

Speaker’s Monthly Remuneration to Rise to MVR 95,125

The statement follows the Public Accounts Committee’s approval of an additional MVR 22,000 monthly allowance for Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla, increasing his total monthly remuneration from MVR 73,125 to MVR 95,125.

The proposal was initially submitted by Kelaa MP Abdulla Shareef of the PNC and seconded by Funadhoo MP Mohamed Mamdooh.

According to the committee’s administrative desk, the allowance was proposed to address disparities between the remuneration received by the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and other MPs.

The Deputy Speaker currently receives MVR 91,000 per month, while ordinary MPs receive MVR 82,500, including committee allowances.

The administrative desk explained that the Speaker does not sit on parliamentary committees and therefore does not receive the MVR 20,000 committee allowance available to other MPs.

Hanimadhoo MP Abdul Ghafoor Moosa of the MDP opposed the proposal, arguing that the increase was inappropriate given the prevailing economic and international circumstances.

The committee approved the motion with the support of its PNC majority. The final motion was proposed by Mamdooh and seconded by Fuvahmulah North MP Hamadh Abdulla.

The committee also considered proposed increases to ministers’ driver allowances and island councillors’ salaries as part of the remuneration changes.