Muizz vows to cut island flat rent to MVR 3,500

The opposition PPM-PNC presidential candidate, Dr Mohamed Muizz, has promised to reduce the monthly rent of housing units in the islands to MVR 3,500 from MVR 5,000 in his government.

Muizz made the announcement while campaigning for the presidential election in at a rally in Lh. Naifaru on Thursday evening.

"Reducing the cost to MVR 3,500, will cover the cost incurred [for executing the project] and will benefit the government. So, I would like to say that the cost of housing units built in different parts of the country under President Yameen's administration is MVR 3,500," Muizzu said.

Muizz said the rent of such a housing unit in his government would average MVR 3,500, and that MVR 5,000 is a burden to the people living in islands.

He said he was not promising to lower the rent of the housing unit to MVR 3,500 just-like-that, but after careful calculations. It will benefit both the people and the government, he said.

"The profit is also priced into this. So to deduct from some of that profit, is a noble thing to do for the people. That's because it's social housing," he said.

He noted that the decision will come with some criticism. However, he said it should be done.

"Some people might say, you're giving up what you have when the economy is in the pits. No, no. I won't say anything I don't know on the podium. I won't say anything unless I have the technical background," he said.

Some other promises Muizz made to Naifaru at Thursday night's rally:

"When I come to a podium like this and speak, some people are saying what kind of person is this. He's just talking about spending," he said.

"Investing can improve things. If you know how to make an investment, it's not a waste of money”.