Muizz vows to waive social housing late rent fines

Opposition PPM-PNC presidential candidate Dr Mohamed Muizz pledged on Saturday to forgive the fines for not paying the rent of the government's social housing flats.

Muizz made the remarks while speaking at a rally in Fuvahmulah on Saturday for next month's presidential campaign. At the rally, Muizz spoke about his housing policy.

"Under social housing, especially in Hulhumale and some parts of the country, the price of housing units is high, because the government has increased the price of things, and the people have been fined for not paying rent. This is not fair. Fines should be levied if the rents are affordable and still unpaid”, Muizz, who was the housing minister of the Abdulla Yameen government, said that many housing projects were implemented by the government.

"Therefore, the fines of those who have received flats under social housing should be forgiven. God-Willing, I will forgive the fines."

During Muizz's term as housing minister, he determined the rent for Hiyaa flats at MVR 5,600. However, when the incumbent government came and completed the project, the rent was fixed at MVR 8,500 including a maintenance fee. Muizz had protested this even at the time. Later, in May, the rent was reduced to MVR 6,300 with maintenance fee. 

On housing, Muizz promised to implement a housing project for the employees of the state media Public Service Media (PSM) and the Maldives National University (MNU). He said:

"PSM has about 500 employees. They are very active and hardworking. I can assure you that among the housing projects to be established in Hulhumale under this policy, a project will be dedicated to PSM," he explained.

In addition, PSM employees have a lot of political pressure and job promotion is through such influences, he said. He said he would put an end to that and shape things in his government so that there would be no political influence in job promotions.

“I will hopefully make PSM a place where job advancement is done with justice and fairness,” Muizz said.

Some other promises Muizz made at Saturday night’s rally:

After Fuvahmulah, Muizz will visit Huvadhoo atoll. He will visit the islands in south of Huvadhoo, the Gaafu Dhaalu.