Gasim lashes out at govt: 'Won’t hand over cheque book in tax’
After Gasim's remarks, Nazim also changed his mind and supported some of Gasim's remarks.
By
Mohamed Muzayyin Nazim
Jumhooree Party (JP) leader Gasim Ibrahim has said that he will not 'provide a cheque book' to the government to pay for increased taxes, speaking against increasing the visa fee and work permit fees to be paid to bring migrant workers to the Maldives.
Such an amendment, Gasim described, would be one in which the people might come out to overthrow the government.
The current amount of work permit fees and quota fees is set directly by the Employment Act. They are:
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MVR 350 per month as work permit fee
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MVR 2,000 per annum as quota fee
The government has proposed an amendment to the Employment Act to increase the fees. That is, the fee may be changed by a regulation made under the Act every 18 months. Thus:
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Both fees may be reviewed and modified at least once every three years or for a maximum period of not less than 18 months (1.5 years).
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The fee determined after the review shall not exceed 30% of the existing fee
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Therefore, the current work permit fee will be increased from MVR 350 to MVR 455 for the first time; the quota fee will be increased from MVR 2,000 to MVR 2,600
Opposing the fee hike, he made the remarks at a meeting of the Parliament's Committee on security services, which is examining the bill.
Before Gasim said this, some members of the committee suggested amending the article. Gasim said:
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If the law gives this power to the government, the fees will be increased immediately
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As a result, inflation will rise, people will suffer, construction work will not progress and the economy will deteriorate further
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The current visa fee and work permit fee amounts are good; Gasim sees no reason to hike it
PNC Hithadhoo Central MP Ahmed Azaan refused to amend the article and moved to keep it as it is.
"I think the government will send these amendments after a lot of research. If we make changes to these, it could affect the estimated revenue of the government," Azaan said.
Even as Azaan was speaking, Gasim was rebuking him. He also launched verbal attacks against Azaan.
“Even if they [the government] wants to swindle people, they won't be able to salvage the damage when project costs and living costs rise sky high. So, I don't see it right to give the government this leverage in any way. MVR 2,000 has to be held and if we want to raise it then we should send it for amendment,” said Gasim, one of the richest businessmen in the country.
"It cannot be allowed to take taxes from the people just like that, with a regulation, one that can be changed like an open cheque book”.
I’m also talking live. I have no problem. Nothing is being said wrong here, on live. Do you think I will tremble at the mention of the government? Who is in the government? What do they know? Who in the government knows something I don't?
Gasim spoke against the rising costs in Monday’s committee meeting as he had stood against increases in tourism tax, GST and minimum wage in the government of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
The government had "suddenly" raised taxes and now businessmen are "falling apart”, he said.
Responding to Azaan's remarks, Gasim added:
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Even if you belong to the ruling party, you don't have to pass everything the government sends
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Efforts should also be made to hold the government accountable; members of Parliament swore loyalty to the country
“It will not be good to pass this [amendment], if something like this is done, the people will come out and overturn this government. We are here to give sincere advice to uphold this government”, he said.
At this point, a member could be heard saying that this is a bill sent by the government. Gasim started speaking very loudly then.
"When the government sends it, when the government says, is that all?" Gasim boomed.
With that, a member can be heard saying that this is a live meeting. Gasim was on a roll, he continued his speech.
“I’m also talking live. I have no problem. Nothing is being said wrong here, on live. Do you think I will tremble at the mention of the government? Who is in the government? What do they know? Who in the government knows something I don't?” Gasim said angrily.
With that, he said, the people that flock around leaders are those "people who talk to destroy the government". He also described such an amendment as an attempt to make people hate the government.
"I don't want the incumbent president to end up torn apart through the rose coloured glasses that these amendments passed through. That's why I don't support it," he said right before he walked out, boycotting the committee.
MNP's Nazim supported Gasim
Before Gasim's tirade, MNP President Maafannu North Constituency Member Mohamed Nazim had proposed to reduce the fee increases to 10% instead of 30%.
After Gasim's remarks, Nazim also changed his mind and supported some of Gasim's remarks.
"The Maamigili MP [Gasim] made a very important point. I don't think it is right to increase these figures when our economy is in this situation. I believe this will destroy the sensitive industries in Maldives," Nazim said.
Nazim asked for time to think further about the fee increase. He suggested further investigation into the government's views on the matter. Other members of the committee supported the motion.
When Gasim left the meeting in anger, the quorum was lost, and Monday’s meeting was concluded.
