MP slams pay hike for Speaker and ministers as public 'left on Panadol'

A decision by the People's Majlis Finance Committee to increase the salaries and allowances of the Speaker and cabinet ministers drew sharp criticism in parliament on Monday, with MP Mikail Ahmed Naseem saying ordinary Maldivians were struggling to make ends meet while their leaders awarded themselves more pay. Speaking during the sitting, the Galholhu Dhekunu constituency MP said the hardships faced by ordinary people were clearly visible on social media. He questioned whether ministers really needed a salary increase and said the decision should be a source of shame for lawmakers and the government at a time when citizens could not even afford Panadol. Last Wednesday, the Finance Committee decided to grant the Speaker an additional allowance of MVR 22,000, bringing the Speaker's total monthly salary and allowances to MVR 95,000. The committee also decided to increase the driver allowance for ministers to MVR 17,000, raising their total monthly package to MVR 75,000. During Monday's sitting, Kendhoo constituency MP Maaroof Zakir submitted an urgent motion expressing concern that civil service employees do not receive adequate salaries and calling the pay hike for the Speaker and ministers unjust. However, the chair, Abdurraheem Abdulla, did not accept the motion, saying it was not a matter to be debated at that time. The committee's decision will still require approval by a floor vote of the full Majlis before it can take effect.