Military drone deal is a campaign fund raising scam, opposition alleges
According to Easa, the MDP government also looked at the prices of such drones in the world market.
By
Mohamed Muzayyin Nazim
The opposition Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) has alleged that the military drones purchased by the government at "high prices" to monitor the country's economic zones were a "large scam" to raise funds for the upcoming parliamentary election campaign in haste.
President Mohammed Muizzu inspected Turkish-made military drones during his first visit to the country after coming to power. While details of the deal have not been revealed yet, the drones have been brought to the Maldives and are to be used at N.Maafaru airport.
It was called a "scam" by the MDP's parliamentary campaign spokesperson and Kendhikulhudhoo MP Ahmed Easa at a press conference held at the party's office on Tuesday evening.
"What was not budgeted, which was taken from the contingency budget, is highly questionable. We very much suspect [that it was done] to raise funds for the upcoming parliamentary elections," Easa said in response to a question on drones.
Easa further said that monitoring the country's waters is necessary for the people, especially the fishermen, and efforts were made during the MDP government to make it happen. He said:
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The relevant agencies conducted studies on the use of drones in the MDP government; they also clarified the areas where the drones will be used and the number of drones that will be required
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The government changed while the relevant authorities of the two countries were in talks to provide the technology free of charge to Maldives from a friendly country
According to Easa, the MDP government also looked at the prices of such drones in the world market. He said it was questionable that President Muizzu came to power and made haste to Turkey to sign such an agreement.
"The fact that he did it in violation of the general rule raises a lot of suspicion for us. We strongly accuse it of being a large scam to raise funds for the parliamentary election [for the party's campaign]," he reiterated.
Some of Easa’s other highlights at the press conference are:
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Employees of Fenaka branches in four islands have not yet received their salaries and Ramadan allowances. We will present Fenaka officials to the Parliamentary Government Responsibility Committee to look into it
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President Muizzu's claim that only the parliament can increase the salaries of council employees is a "blasphemous lie”. The budget passed by parliament last year has allocated MVR 500 million for salary increases. That should be enough
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There are five candidates who have been accused of being government candidates in some constituencies for the parliamentary elections. Individual members of the PNC leadership are fielding candidates in some constituencies.
