MP Siyam criticises 2025 budget; calls for transparency, talks

Meedhoo MP and Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) President Ahmed Siyam Mohamed said on Tuesday that he will not support the proposed national budget for next year unless it includes detailed information on planned projects and expenditures.

Speaking during the budget debate in parliament, Siyam criticised the absence of specifics in the budget and expressed concerns over its lack of transparency.

"I cannot think of any way we can debate this budget without knowing what is happening. This is not how any country or organisation presents a budget," Siyam said during his address.

Siyam emphasised the importance of transparency, pointing out that people in every constituency have the right to know which development projects are planned and how funds will be allocated. Without such details, he argued, the budget could not be deemed acceptable.

"The residents of each constituency must know what projects are planned for the coming year and the associated costs. Presenting a budget without such information is not transparent," Siyam said.

Siyam, the longest-serving MP in the current parliament, remarked that this was the first time in his 21 years as a parliamentarian that a budget had been presented without such details. He added that parliament members, with their years of experience, should be consulted in the preparation of the budget.

"If we vote for something without knowing the details, we will be accountable on the Day of Judgment," he said, urging the government to revise the budget and resubmit it with the necessary details.

Siyam also highlighted concerns over the increased allocation for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He noted that the proposed budget for the ministry was 40% higher than the previous year, with significant amounts allocated for embassies in countries like Singapore, Thailand, and the UAE. He questioned the benefits of such expenditures and called for a 50% reduction in embassy spending.

"There is no harm in opening embassies, but we must assess their value. What benefits do these embassies bring to the Maldives? The money of Maldivian taxpayers must be used wisely," Siyam said.

Additionally, Siyam expressed dissatisfaction with the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA)’s new rule requiring tourism businesses to exchange $500 per tourist in banks. In indirect remarks, he noted that this policy had been introduced without adequate consultation with stakeholders.

Throughout his speech, Siyam reiterated the importance of consultation, urging the government to involve parliamentarians and other stakeholders in decisions.

"Consult with us. Get our input. Parliament members are not figureheads," he said.