Famous business tycoon, Mohamed Moosa (better known as Uhchu), has stated that it is the citizens that compel the state to charge taxes and that taxes are necessary.
While speaking on RaajjeTV's "Fashaairu" programme, Moosa claimed that the state is compelled to charge taxes on the citizens because of the citizens themselves. He explained that taxes are necessary in order to fulfill the needs and demands of the public.
It is the citizens that compel the state to charge taxes. Take the health sector, for example, there was only one doctor in the Maldives in 1957. The population was small back then. However, when we count all the doctors, health centres and hospitals in the country today, their numbers will exceed that of Singapore. Due to our geography, every island needs a hospital and operation theatre. So we citizens demand one. When the state delays it, the citizens press them for it. so how does the state pay for these needs? The state has to get the funds from somewhere. The state is forced to take taxes, otherwise, how will they fund it?Mohamed Moosa (Uhchu)
Uchchu further added that taxation is necessary no matter which administration is in power. While highlighting that pressure on the state increases with the rising demands of the citizens, Uchchu stated that the state must turn to foreign loans if attaining funding domestically is not possible.
He also highlighted that despite the criticism against previous administrations, the prior regimes are responsible for the country's current development.
