Gov't spent more on TikTok stars to promote construction of a single Malé street than it has on actual development of entire constituencies: Ameen

Member of Parliament for the Kanditheemu constituency, Ameen Faisal, has criticized the government for spending excessively on social media influencers to promote minor infrastructure projects. He stated that the administration has produced numerous TikTok videos to advertise the construction of a single road in Malé, claiming that the expenditure on these "TikTok stars" exceeds the investment being made toward the development of rural islands.

During Monday's Parliament sitting, members debated a bill to amend the Income Tax Act, submitted on behalf of the government by Mathiveri MP Hassan Zareer. While debating the bill, the MP questioned the tangible benefits provided to constituents to date, stating that even if the government received 2,500 million Rufiyaa instead of 250 million, the impact on the lives of ordinary citizens remains unclear.

Ameen highlighted that within the five islands of the constituency, many young people who have completed their housing construction remain unable to move in due to a lack of electricity and water services. He noted that these concerned citizens have reached out to him via messages seeking a resolution to these issues. The member further pointed out that these individuals have sought answers from Fenaka Corporation, the relevant ministry, and the Minister, yet have failed to receive a satisfactory response.

Ameen stated that they are currently without electricity, and lack access to water and sanitation services.

This administration has generated a record-breaking 1.6 billion Rufiyaa in revenue, an amount never seen before. Yet, the citizens have seen no tangible benefit from it. This is supposed to be the "Pro-Maldives" era—a nation for its people, where opportunities are open to all and development reaches every island across the country. Instead, this government has spent more on TikTok stars and promotional videos for opening a single street in Malé than they have on the development of our entire constituency. It is not that we oppose such activities or are merely concerned by them; it is that while they indulge in these expenses, the essential, small-scale needs of the islands remain neglected and must be addressed.

Ameen Faisal

The Member stated that it is a mockery that citizens are still struggling without access to basic water, sanitation, and electricity services today. He further noted that while ATMs are being installed in abundance, the public lacks the funds to withdraw from them. He added that even when people are able to make payments, there is no guarantee of receiving consistent water and electricity services.

Please provide electricity connections for the 10 households in Noomaraa currently in need. Ensure that the homes in Kanditheemu without water and sanitation services are finally connected. It has been three years. Please also provide electricity to the households in Bileffahi that are still without it; three years have passed there as well. Kanditheemu is currently losing five feet of shoreline every day. After constructing a landing bed for vessels to dock, the excavator has already been removed from the island.

Ameen Faisal

Ameen stated that there must be established rules and procedures for conducting affairs. However, he noted that the current administration continues to act without any regard for such standards.

The bill proposed by MP Zareer seeks to increase the withholding tax on payments made to foreign contractors for construction projects in the Maldives to 10 percent. The primary objective of the bill is to establish a level playing field and foster fair competition between local businesses and non-resident contractors bidding for construction projects within the country.