Some MPs of the People's National Congress (PNC) have raised questions over the source of the monthly cash handout "on behalf of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu" to ruling party MPs.
President Muizzu has provided MVR 50,000 to PNC MPs every month since the 20th Session of the People's Majlis commenced in May, some MPs said. Adhadhu has earlier reported the cash handouts.
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. Some senior PNC officials further told Adhadhu that the President provides funds for the party's political and administrative work as well.
"We are talking about the President distributing MVR 6 million every month. It is not a small amount. We don't know the source of that money," one MP said.
He said some MPs even received MVR 100,000 a month because they were loyalists of the President.
Some MPs said a close associate of the President, who is a minister at the President's Office, contacts the MPs to provide the money.
"There are questions regarding the source of these funds," an MP said.
Some sources familiar with the party's internal affairs told Adhadhu that the management of some State Owned Enterprises works to gather funds for the political activities of the party.
In addition to the cash handout from the President, MPs earn a monthly salary of MVR 82,500, which includes an MVR 20,000 committee allowance.
The monthly salary of the President is MVR 100,000 and he is not involved in any business ventures.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) did not say whether it was investigating the monthly funds provided to MPs on behalf of the President.
