The state budget expenditures for travel this year have exceeded the amount initially approved by the People’s Majlis.

According to financial records released today by the Ministry of Finance, 257.2 million MVR had been spent on travel as of the 11th of this month. The approved budget for state travel for this year was 249.1 million MVR.

These figures indicate that travel spending has exceeded the budget by 8 million MVR. On a year-on-year basis, travel expenses this year are 1.6 million MVR higher than during the same period last year.

While the state has overspent its travel budget, the government has refused to disclose the expenses incurred from the state budget for President Mohamed Muizzu’s most recent five foreign trips, as well as his ongoing trips to various islands across the Maldives.

The government had previously announced that the costs of foreign trips taken by the President and Vice President would be disclosed within 15 days of the trip's conclusion. This pledge was made by President Muizzu on December 2, 2023, while speaking at the airport upon his return from trips to Turkey and the UAE.

However, when Adhadhu requested details of these travel expenses under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the President’s Office provided no response.

While the government continues to keep travel costs confidential, the budget submitted to the People’s Majlis last week for the upcoming year includes 273 million MVR for government travel. A significant portion of this is allocated for domestic travel.