Adhadhu has learnt that only some MPs of the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) received the MVR 50,000 cash payment "from President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu" in August.
President Muizzu announced the decision to to provide a monthly payment to PNC MPs during a meeting at his official residence Muleeaage on May 22.
Some PNC MPs confirmed to Adhadhu that all MPs from the ruling party received the MVR 50,000 payment "from the President" over the past two months since the meeting.
There are 75 PNC MPs in the Parliament. It costs MVR 3.75 million per month to pay MVR 50,000 for each of them.
However, PNC MPs who spoke to Adhadhu, said that only some MPs received the payment in August. It is unclear how many MPs received the payment.
Apart from the "payment from the President", MPs get a monthly remuneration of MVR 82,500 per month including MVR 20,000 as committee allowance.
At the meeting where he announced the decision to pay PNC MPs, some MPs informed the President that it was not a good decision, sources who attended the meeting told Adhadhu.
But President Muizzu said "it is not a problem" and continued to pay the MPs.
Some senior PNC officials further told Adhadhu that the President makes payments to people appointed to various positions in the PNC. Sources confirmed that the total amount being paid is MVR 6 million.
The source of the money being paid to MPs "on behalf of President Muizzu" is unclear. The monthly salary of the President is MVR 100,000.
