President Muizzu: Decision to grant 100,000 Rufiyaa to flat owners is not a bribe
President Muizzu stated that the decision to provide these funds was an act of assistance to residents living in dilapidated conditions within aging housing units. While the President rejected allegations of bribery, the decision to grant the funds was finalized during a meeting at Mulee'aage on February 16, 2026, held with flat owners alongside the PNC candidates for Male' City Mayor and the Women's Development Committee presidency.
President Muizzu's meeting with residents of the Sinamale' and Male' hiya flats at the official presidential residence, Mulee'aage, where he pledged to provide MVR 100,000 to each household. Candidates from the PNC also participated in the meeting. | X | X
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has denied allegations of bribery regarding his decision to grant 100,000 Rufiyaa to the owners of Sinamale' and Male' hiya flats, a move announced just ahead of the upcoming local council elections.
During a press conference held at the President's Office on Monday, a journalist questioned whether President Muizzu’s decision to grant 100,000 Rufiyaa to the owners of Sinamale' and Male' hiya flats ahead of the upcoming local council elections could be considered an act of bribery.
In response to the question, President Muizzu stated that it did not constitute bribery.
President Muizzu stated that providing financial compensation to flat owners was a key pledge of his, and clarified that fulfilling this promise ahead of the election was not intentional. He further noted that despite previous efforts to resolve the issue through various means, progress had been stalled due to a lack of cooperation from the Male' City Council.
Indeed, that was not a bribe in any sense. This simply highlights a lack of information on your part. This is an initiative clearly outlined in my manifesto. I have also spoken about it extensively throughout various stages of the presidential election campaign. Therefore, I believe it would be easier for you to pose your questions if you were better informed on the matter.President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu
Despite President Muizzu’s refusal to characterize it as bribery, the decision to grant those funds to the flat owners was made during a meeting at Mulee'aage on February 16, 2026. The meeting was held with the flat owners, alongside the PNC candidates contesting for the Male' City Mayoralty and the presidency of the Women's Development Committee.
President Muizzu further noted that residents began living in the Sinamale' and Male' hiya flats in 1990, and that these buildings have remained without renovation for many years since. He highlighted that the structures are now on the verge of collapse, leaving residents in dire living conditions. The President emphasized that neglecting their plight would constitute a grave act of negligence.
With a total of 161 apartments across four Sinamale' and Male' hiya flats, the government will spend 16.1 million Rufiyaa to provide 100,000 Rufiyaa to each apartment owner.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched an investigation into the matter following a formal complaint.
President Muizzu has pledged to provide a permanent solution to the issues facing the Sinamale' and Male' hiya flats.
In line with his presidential pledge, President Muizzu had previously initiated plans to demolish and redevelop the Sinamalé flats during his tenure as Mayor of Malé City. In early 2023, the Male' City Council announced a project to construct 1,500 housing units across two phases. At the time, the City Council’s plan involved developing 700 housing units across five towers in the first phase. The second phase was slated to include an additional 800 units across five more buildings. However, more than a year into the current administration’s term, no practical work has been undertaken to advance this project.
