President Mohamed Muizzu has announced that USD ATMs will be installed in 70 islands by March next year.

Speaking at the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) rally held last night, Muizzu said the ATMs would prevent discrimination between Male' and the atolls.

“Now we have decided to install dollar ATMs in 70 more islands by March next year,” he stated.

These include islands with a thriving guesthouse business, urban centres and all islands with a population of over 2,000. The government is carrying out this project in collaboration with the Bank of Maldives (BML).

"This is equality. This is empowering the people. We are trying to empower the people in the true sense," he said.

Muizzu has previously responded to criticism that the main thing he does during his trips across the atolls is to cut the ribbon to open BML ATMs in islands.