Muizz vows to double army, police salaries
Muizz said he is saying this after thinking carefully and knowing that he will be held responsible for it.
By
Mohamed Muzayyin Nazim
Opposition PPM-PNC presidential candidate Dr Mohamed Muizz has promised on Friday evening to double the salaries of the employees of the two institutions of police and army under his government and ease the payment of rent for flats meant for them.
Muizz made the promise while addressing a 'Maves PPM' campaign rally at Carnival area on Friday. Speaking on the occasion of National Day falling on this Saturday, Muizz mentioned some of the things he will do for the army and police in his government.
Muizz said that while they were all celebrating Maldives National Day, the army and police have serious concerns about the country's independence. He noted that "a few" of the two institutions were unfairly involved in the illegal actions of this government and assured that under his government he would make the army and police reputable once again.
"If our people come to the same page in this national discourse and come to a national spirit on September 30 in a national mind, we will increase our armed forces and police personnel twice the current salary they get," Muizz said.
"The pride of this country is the army and police. I will ensure that all the members of these two institutions are honourable in our government."
With his promise, the MDP candidate, President Ibrahim Mohmmed Solih, might increase the salaries of the two institutions on the morrow, Muizz said jokingly.
“I would be very happy if he increases it,” Muizz said to the laughter of the supporters.
Noting that this is the first time he has promised a salary increase during his campaign, Muizz said he is saying this after thinking carefully and knowing that he will be held responsible for it.
“The top priority is to increase the salaries of the army and police, who are the top priority in the national issue,” he said.
Muizz cited the following ways the government has "neglected" the army and police:
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The flats that were promised to be completed within 100 days of the government are still not completed
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The rent of the flats has increased manifold by the time the work has neared completion and handover
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Some people who said they would get flats are off the list now
With that, Muizz promised to give concessions in paying the rent of the flats.
"The prices of [army and police] flats are far above affordability. To give relief to the army and police who received these flats, we will defer the payment for one year in our government," he explained.
