MP Ahmed Nihan, the parliamentary group leader of the ruling party, has come under heavy scrutiny from fellow lawmakers over his purchase of a MVR 4.7 million flat.

Nihan, who purchased the luxury flat under his 18-year-old son’s name, addressed allegations of having amassed his wealth unlawfully addressed allegations through interviews to the press.

Opposition aligned lawmaker Imthiyaz Fahmy said that the answer Nihan gave for his wealth, having received the same monthly salary and allowance as himself, is inadequate.

The Maldivian Democratic Party’s deputy parliamentary group leader, MP Rozaina Adam, alleged that it is impossible to be able to afford the apartment on his income as a parliamentarian.

“Did he not eat or drink? Did Rolex and BMW and Louis Vuitton gift him all that jewellery and property he has? Does he not have to pay rent? Is his apartment in Malé also some gift?” she said in a tweet.

Nihan told local online newspaper, Mihaaru, that he had amassed a saving of MVR 8.5 million during his time in parliament and that he had also received loans of 5.2 million form the Bank of Maldives.

The flat is from Platinum Residence, a luxury flat complex developed in Hulhumalé with 3-4-bedroom flats all ranging in price from three to seven million.

The issue surfaced after the Civil Court scheduled a case for the transaction, with their schedule being available online.

Nihan has been heavily criticized for it, with several individuals claiming that his salary alone could not have allowed him to purchase the flat.

The lawmaker gets a monthly income of MVR 79,000 and he has been described to live a luxurious lifestyle in comparison to that of most Maldivians.