President Mohamed Muizzu has said that the MVR 16 million cash handouts for people who live in Sinamalé and Malé Hiyaa flats are not a bribe for the April 4 local councils election.

Meeting the press for the first time in ten months, Muizzu said he pledged to offer a financial package to the flat owners, and it was not his intention to coincide the pledge fulfilment with an election.

"When they took the matter up in that meeting [with the people of Galolhu], I took it a gear up. It gave me more encouragement to do it, even if the council doesn't do it. To do it directly by the government," he said.

However, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has started investigating a complaint against Muizzu for offering MVR 100,000 to each of the owners of 161 apartments in Sinamalé and Malé Hiyaa.

The state has promised to pay a total of MVR 16.1 million to the owners of the flats.

Moosa Ali Jaleel, the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) candidate for Male' Mayor in the local council elections, participated in Muizzu's meeting with the flat owners. Deputy Mayor Ahmed Areesh, who is seeking re-election, was also in attendance.