MVR 25,000 was added to the monthly MVR 50,000 cash handout to ruling party MPs "on behalf of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu" to make the total amount for each MP to MVR 75,000.
The MPs of the People's National Congress (PNC) were paid last Sunday night at the PNC office. Some PNC MPs confirmed to Adhadhu that the money was handed out that night.
Adhadhu reporters saw and captured video footage of several MPs entering the PNC office on Sunday night.
However, the MPs denied receiving any money.
Some PNC MPs told Adhadhu that the money was delivered to the MPs who could not attend the party office that night.
Adhadhu reporters saw Dhuvaafaru MP Mohamed Ali leaving President Muizzu's private residence Maafannu Dhimyaath on Sunday night with a black bag. He took the bag to the PNC office.
MP Mohamed Ali did not respond to calls and text messages regarding the contents of the bag and the purpose it was taken to the PNC office.
PNC leadership also refused to respond when questioned about the sources of the funds that are allegedly handed out to MPs each month.
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 three months since the meeting.
MPs did not clarify why the amount was increased this month.
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.
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.
When the President said that MVR 50,000 would be provided "from the President" to MPs every month, some MPs disagreed with the decision and urged the President to reconsider, according to some PNC MPs who spoke to Adhadhu.
However, President Muizzu said that it was "not a problem at all" and proceeded to do so, the MPs said.
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.
