President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that next year’s budget will prioritise consular services and other support for Maldivians residing abroad. The President made the announcement while meeting Maldivians residing in Malaysia, during his ongoing official visit to the country.
In his remarks, the President said his visit to Malaysia would benefit both Malaysia and the Maldives, and particularly Maldivian citizens. He stated that he prioritised meeting with Maldivian communities abroad during his visits overseas as he wished to hear their concerns and work towards resolving their difficulties.
The President further noted that Malaysia is home to the largest number of Maldivians outside the Maldives. He acknowledged the need for Maldivian Embassy in Malaysia to expand its services for the Maldivian community.
The President further reiterated that the 2026 budget would prioritise the development of consular services and other support needed by Maldivian citizens living abroad. The President highlighted that the issuance of Maldivian identity cards and passports service had been launched earlier that day, and also noted the importance of the establishing the Maldivian Students' Association in Malaysia.
The President said that every year the state budget will deposit $3,000 to the Malaysian Students Association in support Maldivian students. Earlier this year, the President made a similar pledge when he visited the United Kingdom, promising to deposit funds to the newly formed Maldivian Student Association in the United Kingdom.
"There are many benefits to having a student association. These include running student activities and providing students with various opportunities. It is my duty, and the government’s responsibility to support our students,” the President said.
The President said there will always be an opportunity for Maldivians living abroad to submit their concerns and proposals to him. The people can also submit their grievances through the embassy, ​​he said.
The President said that it is his responsibility to serve all Maldivians equally regardless of where they live.
“Wherever a citizen may be, he or she will be treated equally and in the same status as a person living in the Maldives,” he said.
The President also advised Maldivians abroad to remember their origins and identity and remain true to it. Reminding the people that they are Muslims, he said there are times when religious matters are abandoned as a result of the society in which they live. The President advised the people to pay diligent attention to prayer, and said that there is no victory in any religion other than Islam and all success lies within Islam.
Advising students, the President said that seeking education is for oneself, one's parents and the nation. Noting that Malaysia is now the country with the largest Maldivian population abroad, the President stressed that unity and friendship should be maintained among all Maldivians.