Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed has faced public backlash and criticism following a TikTok video he released to counter claims by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) regarding the rising cost of living.
During an MDP National Council meeting on Sunday night, the party decided to hold a protest in Male' on August 12 to voice concerns over inflation. Following the announcement, the MDP has been sharing social media posts highlighting the extent of price hikes.
In a video posted to his personal TikTok account last night, Saeed dismissed the MDP’s claims as falsehoods and shared current market prices for various goods to support his argument.
"The MDP gets triggered every August 12–13, don't they? The lie they are peddling this time is the tweet claiming that prices have actually gone up," Saeed said, before addressing the list circulated by the opposition.
He proceeded to share figures comparing local prices with international markets, claiming that fuel is currently cheaper in the Maldives than in Singapore.
However, as the video circulated across social media platforms, many citizens accused Saeed of being deceptive, insisting that prices have surged. Critics argued that comparing the Maldives to Singapore is flawed, noting that such a comparison must account for the vast differences in income levels and national development.
Public Outcry
Public comments on the video were overwhelmingly negative, with citizens expressing their frustration:
"We get petrol for MVR 21. Can everyone just come to Male' stations to refuel?"
"It’s actually tragic to see a Minister go down to this level."
"Where is the Development Bank? Where is the USD 400 million bunkering project?"
"Stop trying to mislead people by comparing everything to Singapore."
"A large tin of Nescafe is between MVR 430 and MVR 480."
"The dollar rate is at 22 Rufiyaa."
"Everything is expensive, bro."
"You don't need to explain anything to us; it would be better if you just resigned."
"Nothing but lies, deceit, and manipulation."
"Has the price of the dollar decreased??"
"The term is ending while they just keep blaming the previous government."
"Why don't you compare Singapore's dollar rate and salaries as well?"
"Man, prices are six times higher than what they used to be."
"Who told you to take over the job by saying you could handle it?"
"We know how much prices have gone up when we actually go to the shop to buy things."
These were among the many comments left on Saeed’s video, with many users citing their personal experiences to argue that the prices quoted by the Minister do not reflect the reality for the average consumer.
The cost of living has risen significantly under President Mohamed Muizzu’s administration. According to official government statistics, the price of essential food items has increased by eight percent within a single year.
Data from the Statistics Bureau’s Essential Commodities Price Index shows that gas and fuel saw the highest increases over the past year. Prices for food, beverages, and personal care products have also trended upwards.
As inflation rises and the cost of essentials climbs, the Maldivian economy remains in a fragile state. The value of the Maldivian Rufiyaa has depreciated, with the black market dollar rate reaching MVR 21.70—marking one of the lowest points for the local currency in Maldivian history.
