President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has decided to dismiss 228 political employees without disclosing the total number of political appointments since he assumed office in November last year.

In a post on X, President Muizzu said the political employees were being removed under the Economic Reform Agenda to cut the running costs of the government as the country's fiscal situation worsens.

"I have today instructed to remove 228 political appointees from various government ministries within the next 15 days," he stated.

The political employees to be dismissed include seven State Ministers, 43 Deputy Ministers, 109 Senior Political Directors and 69 Political Directors, the President said.

"It will save MVR 5.714 million per month from the government budget," he added.

Muizzu pledged not to increase the number of political employees to more than 700. However, information gathered from various sources confirms that the total number of political employees is close to 2000.

Even with the 228 employees who will be laid off in the next 15 days, the government will not be able to fulfil its pledge of not increasing the number of political appointments to more than 700.

However, this will provide some relief to the budget to manage the financial situation.