The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) on Tuesday night raised serious allegations about military drones acquired by the government under an agreement with a Turkish company, calling the purchase hurried and suspicious.
Speaking at a press conference held to brief the media on the MDP's campaign for April's parliamentary elections, Kendhikulhudhoo MP Ahmed Easa, the party's campaign spokesperson, accused the government of stopping several projects launched by the previous government in order to spend from the contingency budget to buy the drones. A friendly nation had discussed providing surveillance drone technology to the Maldives during the MDP government, he said.
"The government changed while discussions were taking place between relevant senior officials from both sides about a friendly nation providing that technology to our country for free. Then at that point, it raises questions for us. After coming to power, the President of the Republic hastily went to Türkiye," Easa said.
He characterized the drone purchase as a sudden decision made by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu during his visit to Türkiye. The project was not included in this year's budget, he noted.
The government spent more than USD 30 million to buy the drones when there were bigger priorities, he said.
"There are much more important things for the government to do for a better life for the Maldivian people. After coming to power, before doing that [buying the drones], what they did first was to stop 1,720 projects started by the previous government," he said.
Along with the concerns, Easa said the party suspected that the drones were purchased to raise funds for the parliamentary election campaign.
"We suspect this very much. In order to get money for this People's Majlis election, it was done at inflated prices, at much higher prices than what that technology is commonly sold for in the world market," Easa said.
The MDP has details on how to procure drones at cheaper prices, he said.
