Minister Saeed blames previous administration when questioned over current government's pre-election job distribution
Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed has dismissed allegations of the government distributing jobs ahead of the elections, asserting that all expenditures are conducted within the approved budget. However, a recent Auditor General’s report revealed that 1.1 billion Rufiyaa has already been spent on 100 projects not included in the budget, while state institutions such as Customs and RDC continue to announce numerous job vacancies. These significant off-budget expenditures have led many to characterize the government's actions as a deliberate attempt to exert undue influence over the upcoming elections.
Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed, serving under the administration of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. | President's Office | President's Office
Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed has shifted the blame onto the previous administration when questioned about President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s government allegedly distributing jobs without regard for expenditure, coinciding with local council, Women's Development Committee (WDC), and referendum votes.
During a press conference held at the President's Office on Sunday, RaajjeTV raised inquiries regarding the ministerial committee established by President Muizzu to oversee matters related to the conflict in the Middle East, as well as the government's continued distribution of political appointments during this period.
Responding to the question, Minister Saeed stated that he believes the Ministry of Finance conducts all operations and incurs every expenditure strictly within the framework of the budget and in accordance with its documented provisions.
I have full confidence that every expenditure made by the Ministry of Finance is carried out strictly within the budget and utilizes funds explicitly allocated and documented therein. Since RaajjeTV raised this question, I would like to emphasize that, unlike in the past, we are now operating strictly according to the budget. No project will proceed unless it has been allocated space within the budget. However, this is not how things were handled by the previous administration. I am highlighting this specifically because you are from RaajjeTV—it was the previous government.Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed, serving under the administration of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
Minister Saeed stated that his remark regarding the previous administration’s spending—noting that expenditures were made outside the approved budget—was made in response to a specific inquiry from RaajjeTV.
The Minister’s remarks come amid findings from an Auditor General’s report revealing that the government has disregarded the budget passed by Parliament, rendering it effectively meaningless. The Auditor General highlighted that out of the projects budgeted for 2024, work has failed to commence on 1,311 projects. Despite this total lack of progress, 3.2 billion Rufiyaa had been specifically allocated for these initiatives.
Furthermore, the Ministry has expended funds on 100 projects that were not included in the 2024 budget approved by the People's Majlis. A total of MVR 1.1 billion was spent on these projects, despite the fact that the expenditure had not been authorized by Parliament.
Findings from the Auditor General reveal that 100 projects were initiated without parliamentary approval, while 480 projects exceeded their allocated budgets. The Ministry of Finance spent an additional 4.7 billion Rufiyaa beyond the original amounts designated for these projects.
Furthermore, as the government continues to distribute jobs ahead of the election, Maldives Customs Service has opened 48 vacancies just one week before the polls. Additionally, a decision has been made to hire a total of 516 employees for four mobile units to develop Public Works Units, while the Road Development Corporation (RDC) has also recently announced over 140 vacancies for its various sites.
