The President's Office has disclosed that MVR 14 million was spent on President Mohamed Muizzu's official domestic trips to the atolls over the past two years.
In a response provided months after the legal deadline following a Right to Information (RTI) request by Adhadhu, the President's Office said that MVR 13.93 million was spent on travel between 2024 and January 2026.
The annual breakdown of expenditure is as follows:
- 2024 (9 trips): MVR 4.06 million
- 2025 (23 trips): MVR 9.87 million
- 2026 (1 trip): MVR 773.24
Following the presidential election, Muizzu’s inaugural visit was to Thaa Atoll, including Guraidhoo, where he secured his largest majority. This single trip, conducted from February 6 to 8, 2024, ahead of the parliamentary elections, cost MVR 422,090.44.
Later that same month, a visit to three southern atolls from February 18 to 21 incurred costs of MVR 1.31 million. The total expenditure for the nine trips conducted in 2024 amounted to MVR 4.06 million.
According to the President's Office, 2025 marked the year with the highest frequency of domestic travel. Over MVR 9.87 million was spent on 23 trips conducted throughout that year.
For the current year, a trip to Noonu Atoll was recorded with an expenditure of just MVR 773.24. Similarly, several trips in 2025 were reported with surprisingly low figures.
The President's Office said that a visit to Kaafu Gulhi in January last year cost MVR 2,500, while a trip to Raa Dhuvaafaru in November cost MVR 1,282.93. Additionally, a visit to Hanimaadhoo during the same month was reported to have cost only MVR 1,600.
President Muizzu’s delegations typically included ministerial officials, executives and staff from State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), and senior police officials.
If the security expenses borne by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) for the President's protection were included, the total expenditure from the state budget for these travels would exceed the reported MVR 14 million.
