Former President Abdulla Yameen has accused President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of buying out lawmakers of the ruling People's National Congress (PNC).
Speaking at his People's National Front (PNF) gathering on Monday night, Yameen mentioned the bribery after saying that the Parliament would not look into issues relating to India and would not disclose agreements with India despite controlling the supermajority of the seats.
"Now, the bribe money they get has become very important. The MVR 50,000 of MVR 75,000 they get every month, in addition to the Parliament salary. The President has bribed the MPs and bought them all," he alleged.
President's Office Spokesperson Heena Waleed earlier said reports about the monthly cash handouts to MPs were "completely untrue false news."
Yameen also said the agreements made by the current administration with India are more dangerous than the agreements reached by the previous government.
"This is our government now. The same agreement that was reached earlier has been made in a way that is more dangerous for the Maldives. They are our people in the Parliament now. What agreement will they show? They don't even plan to bring the agreement. The Parliament's 241 committee is also not working to raise the agreement issue. No committee is working," he said.
The matter was submitted by Hithadhoo Medhu MP Ahmed Azaan on June 9 to the Security Services Committee (241 Committee). A sub-committee was formed on June 10.
The sub-committee was tasked with conducting inquiries into the Hydrography Agreement between India and Maldives, Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF) Agreement process and the Dornier aircraft agreement.
While the issue has been parked in the Parliament, President Muizzu and the PNC coalition have not delivered on any promises related to India.
The Indian helicopters and the Dornier aircraft have not been returned. Discussions were held to remove Indian soldiers, but they were replaced by members of the Hindustan Aeronautics Company which is under the Indian army. But the government claims to have succeeded in removing Indian soldiers from the Maldives.
