Former Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer has said the number of political appointees in President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's government is now close to 3000 despite promising to keep the number below 700.
The government has not disclosed the total number of political appointees and the number and details of appointees who were dismissed under cost-cutting measures. The information has been kept confidential in violation of the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
At the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Havaru Beru spanel discussions on Tuesday night, Ameer said the government's expenditure increased and a record deficit was created last year due to the increase in the number of political appointees and "wasteful expenditure for the enjoyment of leaders"
“So, at the end of the year, we saw that the biggest deficit in the history of Maldives was in 2024,” he stated.
Ameer noted that last year's budget deficit of MVR 15.3 billion exceeds the deficit during the Covid-19 pandemic years.
He said many private companies have gone bankrupt due to the deteriorating financial situation and the government's failure to make payments.
He added that the state budget deficit increased despite government's failure to bring down prices, ensure medical treatment and carry out development projects.
Ameer expressed concern as only those who hold political positions were benefiting from this government while improving their living standards.
According to the latest report released by the Privatization and Corporatization Board (PCB), the number of employees working in government companies had also increased to 36,753 at the end of the second quarter of 2024.
