Supplementary budget not linked to MDP, MP Shamheed says
Shamheed also noted the inclusion of MVR 441 million for an investment bank in the budget, questioning the necessity and origin of the allocation.
Dr Ahmed Shamheed, Hulhumale’ South MP from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), said on Thursday that the supplementary budget presented by the government on Thursday have no connection to the former MDP-led government.
During a parliamentary debate on the budget, Shamheed made his case, pointing to specific budget allocations that he claims demonstrate its independence from the previous administration's policies.
Shamheed highlighted the government's justification for the supplementary budget, suggesting that it was due to misaligned projections in areas such as the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP). However, he argued that the figures presented in the budget tell a different story.
According to him, the budget includes MVR 1.25 billion earmarked for reclamation projects, a sum that was unrelated to any alleged shortfall in the original budget allocation.
“This has nothing to do with the fact that the budget was passed with a small amount," Shamheed said.
He pointed out that the MVR 650 million contingency budget, included in the supplementary budget, also bears no connection to the MDP’s previous government. He alleged that a significant portion of this amount was allocated to cover costs related to the acquisition of a government drone.
Shamheed also noted the inclusion of MVR 441 million for an investment bank in the budget, questioning the necessity and origin of the allocation. Moreover, he highlighted a substantial MVR 1.25 billion planned for recurrent expenditures, including a specific reimbursement initiative linked to a temporary electricity bill discount during Ramadan.
“This decision was made by the current government to offer electricity bill discounts,” said Shamheed, clarifying that this expenditure was solely the decision of the current administration and not a continuation of MDP policies. “Therefore, this budget has nothing to do with the previous government. I want to point that out."
The supplementary budget debate also brought up concerns over the national debt. Shamheed criticised the current government's handling of public finances, alleging that there has been little effort to curb the rising debt.
“This government has not tried to reduce the debt, and the debt is growing day by day,” he warned.
Presenting the supplementary budget, finance minister Moosa Zameer also asserted that the additional allocations represent a shift in direction from the policies of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s government. Zameer emphasised that the budget now incorporates the vision and priorities of President Mohamed Muizzu’s administration, indicating a strategic realignment of fiscal priorities.
