Salary hike for councilors labelled a 'mask' to cripple island development

An opinion piece has strongly criticised a parliamentary committee's decision to increase councilors' salaries, funded through the block grant given to local councils, warning that the move will stifle development projects and undermine the country's decentralisation system. The Finance Committee of the People's Majlis approved a service allowance increase for council presidents, vice presidents and ordinary councillors. The article argues that because the additional cost must be met from the state budget's block grant – already insufficient for basic administrative needs – a large portion will be consumed by the salary rise, leaving little for infrastructure projects. It accuses the administration of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu of deliberately weakening local government, despite the president's repeated claims to be a champion of decentralisation. The analysis notes that the government has already taken control of land under council jurisdiction and hiring powers, and views the salary decision as the latest tactic to create financial dependency and bring councils under central control.